“We even yell back just to fire her up a bit”: Sabalenka’s performance coach explains how the team matches her intensity to keep her focused

The performance coach of Aryna Sabalenka, Jason Stacy, shared details about the inner workings of the world No. 1’s team and anticipated what will happen in the Australian Open final this Saturday against Elena Rybakina.

Stacy is an essential member of Sabalenka’s team. The head coach is the Belarusian Anton Dubrov, while Stacy acts as a performance coach—bringing his experience from different sports, with a role focused on helping players perform at the highest possible level, both physically and mentally.

The American arrived in tennis alongside Sabalenka, though he has wide experience in other individual sports. “Original background? A lot of things: jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, grappling. I did it basically since I could walk,” said the former martial artist in an interview with the Australian Open podcast Pod Laver Arena.

“Professionally, I worked in a number of sports in allied health—massage, physio, strength, conditioning—and did a lot of neuroscience study. A little bit of everything. My own sport? Throwing and choking people is more exciting.”

Stacy is known for the few occasions when Sabalenka has signed his head, appearing in his box during important matches. In the interview, he was asked if he had taught Sabalenka “some rear naked choke holds,” to which the fitness coach responded jokingly:

“Yeah. Well, there’s a rule: you don’t want to teach her potential adversaries too much, because you’ve got to keep it safe. She might turn and use it on us,” he stated. “I’ve implemented modified versions of certain things just for body awareness, core strength, and coordination. Even when she’s yelling, it’s not really at us. It’s just yelling to get some stuff out. Sometimes it’s completely irrational, sometimes it makes sense. We even yell back just to fire her up a bit.”

Sabalenka’s team has long been characterized by its close relationship off the court, often joking among themselves and even participating in fun TikTok videos with their coaches.

Because of this, the on-court box at Rod Laver Arena has been well received. For over a year, players have been able to interact more closely with their team members during matches, something Stacy values highly for the dynamics of his group. “Do I love that? It’s where it is now. Last year, we chose not to be down there; it was more exposed. This year, they have some cover. It’s a bit more in the corner. Last year felt weird because we want the team together."

Also, for Aryna, she needs one place to focus, one voice. This year, we figured out who could be in the box—the core group: Anton and me, George—her partner, and Max, who helps coaching. That was the core that needed to be on court to manage the energy.”

In the interview, Stacy also referred to a particular situation involving Sabalenka in the semifinals against Elina Svitolina, after the Belarusian was penalized with a hindrance during a rally. The umpire judged that the grunt Sabalenka made after hitting the ball was unnatural and could distract her opponent.

“I thought it was a bit weird. She does this all the time—funny noises when she exhales,” Stacy said. “You can tell how she feels by the sounds she makes. I didn’t go back and watch it; I didn’t care. It happened, moved on, and she used it as fuel. Sometimes we do things to irritate her a bit to get the best out of her. She often writes things on your head—this year it’s on my face. You have no say; it’s what she needs to do.”

Headline – Preparing for the Australian Open Final Meanwhile, Sabalenka is just hours away from taking the court to contest the Australian Open final, a repeat of the 2023 final against Elena Rybakina. Stacy expects a high-level match from both players: “Is that even a question? Tomorrow’s match will be fantastic—lots of energy. Whoever maintains their rhythm will have a huge advantage. It’ll be tough; if either gets ahead, it’s hard to chase. Their 2023 final was a classic. I’m pumped.”