Sabalenka strengthens her team with a doubles legend for Cincinnati and the US Open

Reigning champion in Cincinnati and the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka enters the part of the season where she has many points to defend.

To ensure she replicates her performances from last season, the world No. 1 has decided to recruit Max Mirnyi to her team, a former world No. 1 in doubles and winner of ten Grand Slam titles in the discipline.

The 48-year-old Belarusian, retired since 2018, will serve as a consultant within the player's team, as reported by The Athletic.

He will accompany Sabalenka to Cincinnati and New York. The specific areas where he will provide his expertise have not been detailed, although it's easy to imagine that net play might be one of the sectors where his advice could make a difference.

Sabalenka will play her second round in Cincinnati on Saturday against Marketa Vondrousova.