Former world No. 3 Nadia Petrova thinks Aryna Sabalenka's chances of achieving a Calendar Grand Slam are legitimate despite the Belarusian experiencing a couple of very painful losses in 2025.
Sabalenka, who became a Grand Slam champion at the 2023 Australian Open, lifted her first US Open title the same year. The world No. 1 defended her title at Melbourne Park in 2024 and also won her second US Open title this year.
When it comes to the French Open, Sabalenka has been close to winning it a couple of times as she is a runner-up at the tournament. At Wimbledon, the 27-year-old saw her last three runs end in the semifinal stage.
This year, the Belausian's Grand Slam year had final defeats in Melbourne and Paris, a semifinal exit at Wimbledon, and a US Open triumph.
Petrova, who reached two Slam semifinals during her career, believes Sabalenka will learn from the two Major final defeats this year and possibly pull off one of the most remarkable tennis records in 2026.
Petrova: Sabalenka has every opportunity to get a Calendar Grand Slam
"She has every opportunity to win this Calendar Slam. She's been very confident this season. Yes, there were moments where she stumbled, you could say, right at the finish line. But she'll learn from them, become more experienced, stronger. Perhaps she'll be more relaxed about different situations on the court, less stressed out, so that these emotions don't get in the way. She's certainly gained tremendous confidence this season. I think Aryna will start next year with that confidence as well," Petrova told Championat.
After winning this year's US Open, Sabalenka would need to win the opening three Majors of 2026 to complete the Calendar feat.
If Sabalenka does it, she will become only the fourth woman to achieve the feat. Previously, it was done by Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court and Steffi Graf.
