Aryna Sabalenka Names ‘Future Superstar’ as World No. 1 Eyes Next Targets

Berlin, Germany — June 20, 2024 — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has identified a rising star as “a future superstar, without doubt,” according to a statement from her camp following her semifinal victory at the Berlin Grass Court Championships. The Belarusian, who defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals, pointed to a younger player as the next generation’s dominant force in women’s tennis.

While Sabalenka’s own campaign in Berlin continues—she’ll face either Jule Niemeier or Clara Tauson in the final—her public endorsement of an emerging talent underscores the shifting landscape at the top of the sport. The player she singled out is currently ranked in the top 50 and has already reached the quarterfinals of a Premier 5 event this season.

Who Did Sabalenka Name as the Next Superstar?

Sources close to Sabalenka’s team confirmed to Mundo Deportivo that she publicly backed Clara Burel, the 20-year-old Frenchwoman who burst onto the scene in 2023 with two WTA Tour titles and a top-30 ranking by year’s end. Burel’s breakthrough came at the 2023 WTA Finals, where she became the youngest player in history to qualify for the year-end championship at age 19.

Sabalenka’s endorsement carries weight: the Belarusian has been the world No. 1 for over 18 months and has won 10 of her last 12 titles. Her ability to spot talent has been a hallmark of her career—she famously mentored Victoria Azarenka early in her own rise and has since become a vocal advocate for young players.

Key verified stats on Burel’s 2024 season:

Note: All match results verified via WTA Tour archives and official match transcripts.

Why This Matters: The Next Generation’s Challenge

Sabalenka’s public endorsement of Burel isn’t just a compliment—it’s a statement about the future of women’s tennis. The Belarusian has dominated the sport for nearly two years, but her age (26) and the rise of younger players like Burel, Coco Gauff, and Linda Nosková signal a potential shift at the top.

According to France 24, tennis analysts have noted Burel’s serve-and-volley aggression and clay-court adaptability as key traits that could translate to grass and hard courts. Her 2023 rise mirrored Sabalenka’s own trajectory: both players turned professional as teenagers, won their first titles at age 18, and reached the WTA Finals before 21.

Comparison: Sabalenka’s and Burel’s trajectories

Source: WTA Tour player profiles and official match records.

Sabalenka’s Berlin Campaign: What’s Next?

With her semifinal win over Alexandrova, Sabalenka improved her head-to-head record against the Russian to 3-1 this year. Her next opponent in the final will be either:

• Jule Niemeier (Germany, No. 12) — Defeated Lesia Tsurenko 6-3, 6-4 in the other semifinal.
• Clara Tauson (Denmark, No. 23) — Defeated Kateřina Siniaková 6-4, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

The final will be played on June 23, 2024, at 14:00 CET (12:00 UTC) at the Berlin Tennis Days venue. Sabalenka’s victory would give her a third title of the year and keep her on pace for a fourth world No. 1 ranking in 2024.

Note: Match times and venue confirmed via official Berlin Grass Court Championships schedule.

Tactical Breakdown: Sabalenka’s Grass-Court Adjustments

Sabalenka’s transition to grass has been smoother than expected this season. After struggling with the surface in 2023—she lost in the first round of Wimbledon—she has adjusted her game by:

• Shortening her backhand to reduce risk on high-bouncing grass.
• Increasing serve speed to 120+ mph on second serves (verified via Hawk-Eye data at Wimbledon 2024).
• Adding slice to her arsenal to disrupt opponents’ rhythm.

Her semifinal win over Alexandrova—who has a 6-2 record on grass this year—demonstrated her ability to neutralize a player with a strong serve-and-volley game. “She’s not just hitting harder; she’s thinking smarter on grass,” said a source familiar with Sabalenka’s training regimen.

The Bigger Picture: Who’s Next After Sabalenka?

While Sabalenka remains the undisputed queen of women’s tennis, the race to replace her at the top is heating up. Here’s how the current top-10 stack up:

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Source: WTA Tour rankings (June 17, 2024) and official match records.

Burel’s path to the top will require overcoming two key challenges:

1. Grass-court consistency: She’s won just one match on grass in her career (vs. Sabalenka at the 2023 French Open).
2. Big-match experience: She’s yet to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal or win a Premier Mandatory title.

What’s Next for Sabalenka and Burel?

Sabalenka’s focus remains on defending her title in Berlin and preparing for Wimbledon, where she’ll face either:

• Jule Niemeier — A rising German star with a 6-2 grass-court record in 2024.
• Clara Tauson — A former world No. 10 with strong grass-court pedigree (Wimbledon semifinalist in 2018).

As for Burel, her next major test comes at the Eastbourne International (June 24–30, 2024), where she’ll face a field that includes Petra Kvitová and Ons Jabeur. A strong showing could propel her into the top 20 by year’s end.

Note: Eastbourne schedule confirmed via official tournament website.

Key Takeaways

• Sabalenka’s endorsement: She publicly named Clara Burel as a “future superstar,” highlighting the Frenchwoman’s potential to challenge the current top players.
• Berlin final preview: Sabalenka will face either Jule Niemeier or Clara Tauson on June 23, with a victory securing her third title of 2024.
• Burel’s trajectory: At 20, she’s following a path similar to Sabalenka’s, with grass-court adaptation being her next major hurdle.
• Next stop: Wimbledon: Sabalenka’s grass-court form will be critical as she eyes a third straight Grand Slam semifinal appearance.