Aryna Sabalenka is an Australian Open title contender, but her serve may stand in the way of victory

A perfectly hit serve might be the most enjoyable action in sport.

The loud thump of a ball rocketing off the racquet, the sight of a ball sliding off the paint in the corner of the service box.

There is also the dejected returner, walking away knowing there was nothing they could do.

A perfectly hit serve grabs the attention, just like a well-timed cover drive in cricket or a powerful slam dunk in basketball.

More than any other shot in tennis, the serve shapes games, matches and careers. The serve dictates the way a point is played, its shape and structure.

Serves come in all shapes and sizes. They are almost like snowflakes, as they are unique to each player.

Some go for the slice, others the kick or the flat serve. Some players have a subtle, compact motion, and some are more expressive, looking more like a spring being set free.

So what happens when it disappears?

It's a question that women's world number two Aryna Sabalenka is rapidly trying to come to grips with.

For most of the 2021 season, Sabalenka's rise up the rankings was driven by her ability to dominate points with her big, right-handed serve. She is one of the most talented players in the game and the youngest player inside the women's top five.

At Wimbledon last year, the speed of Sabalenka's average first serve was nearly as fast as that of Roger Federer, with her ability to generate pace off the start of points right at the top end of the women's game.

Sabalenka plays a notably aggressive form of tennis, a risk-reward brand that is compelling to watch. The young Belarusian is unafraid to throw caution to the wind, and her massive number of winners is often accompanied by a large number of unforced errors.

But in her most recent match — in Adelaide against world