- Sabalenka Cruises to Second Round Victory with Power and Confidence
- Jabeur Overcomes Recent Struggles to Secure Straight-Set Win
- Finding Joy on the Court: The Importance of Enjoyment in Tennis
It is important to remember that the majority of participants perform better when they are smiling while performing their duties. Aryna Sabalenka, a Belarusian tennis player, has had a difficult time off the court recently, as she has been asked more questions about the conflict in Ukraine than about her tennis. But on Tuesday she appeared happy and confident as she advanced to the second round with ease.
The No. 2 seed defeated world No. 82 Panna Udvardy of Hungary in just over an hour with eight aces, 27 winners, and even a tweener, treating the crowd to her power and athleticism on her return to Wimbledon after missing last year’s tournament due to the ban on Russians and Belarusians competing.
Sabalenka, who was a semi-finalist two years ago when she succumbed to eventual champion Ash Barty, is now a grand slam champion, having exorcised the serving demons that once threatened to derail her career and winning the Australian Open. Udvardy was powerless to prevent her from gliding to a 6-3, 6-1 victory, which was never in doubt after she broke serve early in the match.
Sabalenka secured the victory with three more breaks, and she will now face either Camila Giorgi of Italy or Varvara Gracheva, who was born in Russia but recently changed her nationality to France.
“Until this match, I did not realize how much I missed this place,” Sabalenka said. It means a great deal to me that you all came, and I appreciate your support.
She outclassed Udvardy in terms of both power and movement, thrilling the audience with her tweener in the second set. Despite losing the point, she struck the air with glee, reveling in the moment. It was a perfect fit for me. I was simply attempting my best and enjoying the atmosphere and the game. I believe today’s tennis performance was my finest because I missed this place so much.
When Ons Jabeur arrived at the All England Club a few days before Wimbledon, the first person she saw was Elena Rybakina, a reminder of how close she came to winning the title last year, when she led the final by a set but was defeated in three.
Though she reached the US Open final shortly thereafter, Jabeur has labored in 2023, a minor knee operation in February preventing her from entering the clay-court season in top form.
She lost in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and in the opening rounds in Berlin and Eastbourne, but on Tuesday, under the protection of the No. 1 Court canopy, the Tunisian defeated Magda Frech of Poland 6-3, 6-3. When they met in Indian Wells this year, the sixth seed had difficulty defeating Frech, but she was at ease throughout this match. She won the first set with a sharply-angled forehand, and despite Frech recovering an early break in the second, Jabeur broke again and pulled away for the victory.
The audience responded positively to Jabeur’s variety and touch, and the 28-year-old stated that performing with enthusiasm made the daily grind of training and traveling worthwhile. “Sometimes, if I don’t concentrate on having fun on the court, it’s very difficult for me to appreciate the sport. Tennis is a game, not a job. Perhaps my creativity and the images I take will no longer exist.
“This is why I always strive to enjoy myself. The grass is a surface I prefer more than the others, although I cannot explain why. Possibly because I am a football fan and always appreciate playing on grass. I perceive a connection between the two.”
