Although Aryna Sabalenka has won three WTA titles this season, including the prestigious Sunshine Double, her lack of a Grand Slam title has raised some concern. With the Wimbledon Championships around the corner, eight-time Major champion and former world No. 1 Jimmy Connors has questioned what version of Sabalenka will show up at the grass-court Major, especially with other contenders closing in.
Jimmy Connors Questions Aryna Sabalenka’s Mindset Ahead of Wimbledon
During the later stages of the French Open, Sabalenka looked well-positioned to capture her maiden Roland Garros title, especially after Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina crashed out early. However, the world No. 1 fell short in the quarterfinals, as Diana Shnaider claimed a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 victory in their blockbuster showdown. Sabalenka was heartbroken over the loss, saying afterward that she wanted to “quit tennis.”
Nevertheless, after a well-deserved break, the four-time Grand Slam champion appeared refreshed and in a more positive state of mind while kicking off her grass-court season at the Berlin Tennis Open. Although Sabalenka lost to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, she will enter Wimbledon as the odds-on favorite for the title.
During a recent episode of the “Advantage Connors” podcast, Brett Connors called attention to the betting odds for the women’s contest.
“Let’s look at the women real quick. This is way more balanced. You got Saby [Aryna Sabalenka] around 3-1. Rybakina about +350. Iga +450. Anisimova, last year’s runner up, 8 to 1. Coco Gauff, played well here before, 8 to 1. Mirra Andreeva, the RG champ, 8-1,” he said.
Despite Sabalenka’s status as the favorite, Jimmy Connors questioned what attitude the world No. 1 would bring to the All England Club. He wondered whether the 28-year-old could put her recent disappointment behind her and rediscover the confidence that has typically defined her game.
“I look at Saby and she’s once again the favorite but, from our conversations over the past couple weeks, I wonder how her attitude is. Can she wipe all that aside and go and get on a different surface and take that air and that confidence that we’re normally used to seeing from her into this tournament that she’s never won before,” Connors said.
Although Connors acknowledged Sabalenka’s immense talent, he also noted that players like Rybakina, Świątek, Gauff, and Amanda Anisimova would head into the tournament knowing that the Belarusian was far from unbeatable.
“We keep saying it, she’s got the game. But the next three or four or five names that you mentioned there see that she is beatable and that you just go out and take care of your business and sometimes a lot of good things happen,” he added.
MORE: ‘No Upside for Aryna Sabalenka’ — Roddick Ponders a Potential Serena Williams–World No. 1 Showdown
Aryna Sabalenka has arrived at Wimbledon with the aim of winning her maiden title at SW19. Ahead of her campaign, the world No. 1 enjoyed a warm reunion with Novak Djokovic, days after asking him for tennis advice.
