Aryna Sabalenka’s serve begins with a careful reset

SportLocation Tennis Desk · 27 Sept 2026

Before the toss, Sabalenka takes a moment to settle her feet and coordinate ball and racket.

Aryna Sabalenka’s serve begins with a small reset. On the clay, she takes the ball and racket into position, settles her feet and gives herself a moment before the toss.

That pause is the useful detail. The serve is not only the upward toss and the racket coming through; it starts with getting set and organising the two pieces of equipment. Once the ball is airborne, Sabalenka lifts her arm and begins the motion, moving from stillness into action.

The sequence shown ends as she moves forward, before clear racket-ball contact. What it does capture is the preparation that comes first: one composed routine, then the toss.