Maria Sharapova’s Response to Media Coverage
Maria Sharapova, a former champion with five Grand Slam titles, recently expressed her displeasure regarding an article published by the Wall Street Journal focused on Aryna Sabalenka. As the current WTA world No. 1, Sabalenka has garnered attention not just for her achievements but also for her extraordinary power on the court. Notably, she has claimed that no player has matched her strength, even referencing the legendary Serena Williams.
Statistics Highlighting Sabalenka’s Prowess
Statistics highlight Sabalenka’s prowess, illustrating that her average groundstroke speed surpasses that of many elite male players, including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner. This information is often spotlighted at events, indicating just how remarkable it is for a female player to consistently strike the ball with such force while maintaining accuracy.
Sharapova’s Critique of the Article
However, Sharapova took issue with the tone of the Wall Street Journal article, which bore the title “The World No. 1 who hits so hard she practices against men“—a framing Sharapova found inadequate given Sabalenka’s accomplishments. The Belarusian athlete has not only clinched three Grand Slam titles but has also reached the finals of three other major tournaments and maintained her position as the world’s top player since October.
An Instagram story from Sharapova articulated her concern, calling on the Wall Street Journal to uphold its journalistic standards. “What is this headline and what is this article? You can do better,” she wrote, implying that the emphasis should not rest on whether female athletes can match their male counterparts physically.
Sabalenka’s Training and Preferences
It remains uncertain how Sabalenka herself perceives the editorial approach, as she has previously highlighted her experiences training with male players, including sessions with Djokovic ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. Earlier this year, during a practice with Andrey Rublev, she acknowledged giving up after just five minutes due to the session’s intensity.
Moreover, Sabalenka stirred conversation last year when she openly preferred watching men’s tennis over women’s, a statement that garnered mixed reactions; some felt it diminished the profile of the WTA Tour, while others appreciated her honesty.
The Rise of Women’s Tennis
The popularity of women’s tennis continues to rise, evident in record viewership statistics for the WTA Tour last year. This season’s Wimbledon also showcased the depth of the women’s game with significant upsets, such as Jessica Pegula‘s early defeat against Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Coco Gauff‘s unexpected loss to Dayana Yastremska.
While Sabalenka’s journey and contributions to tennis speak for themselves, Sharapova’s reaction underscores a broader concern regarding the portrayal of female athletes in media, advocating for recognition of their achievements rather than their ability to compare with male players.