Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka, born Aryna Siarhiejeŭna Sabalenka on May 5, 1998, in Minsk, Belarus, stands as one of the most dominant forces in contemporary women’s tennis.

At 27 years old, she holds the world No. 1 ranking in singles according to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), a position she first claimed in September 2023 after a breakthrough victory at the Australian Open.

Known for her explosive power, aggressive baseline play, and thunderous serve that often exceeds 120 miles per hour, Sabalenka has transformed from a promising junior into a four-time Grand Slam champion.

Her journey reflects resilience amid personal tragedies, including the loss of her father and a former partner, yet her on-court ferocity—earning her the nickname “The Tiger” from a prominent tattoo on her left forearm—has propelled her to 21 WTA singles titles, including nine WTA 1000 events.

Early career

Sabalenka’s introduction to tennis was serendipitous, sparked at age six when her father, Sergey, a former ice hockey player, spotted courts while driving through Minsk and enrolled her in lessons despite her initial reluctance.

Training at the newly opened National Tennis Academy in Minsk from 2014 onward, she balanced the sport with studies at Belarusian State University in a sports management program, idolizing Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova for their unyielding intensity.

Her junior career, though unremarkable in singles with a peak ranking of No. 225 and no Grand Slam appearances, showed promise in doubles; she claimed the 2015 Australian Open girls’ doubles title alongside Dalma Gálfi.

Transitioning to the professional circuit early, the Belarusian Tennis Federation urged her in 2015 to skip higher junior events for low-level ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour tournaments.

She debuted on the ITF Circuit in 2012 in Minsk but secured her first professional singles title there in 2015, alongside three more that year, rocketing her ranking into the top 300 by 2016.

Her senior Fed Cup debut came in April 2016, though she lost a doubles dead rubber to Russia, marking the start of a rapid ascent fueled by her natural power and determination.

Senior career

Sabalenka’s senior breakthrough arrived in 2017, when, ranked outside the top 75, she and Aliaksandra Sasnovich propelled Belarus to the Fed Cup final, upsetting higher-ranked teams and finishing as runners-up to the United States—a feat that thrust her into the spotlight.

She reached her first WTA final at the Tianjin Open that year and claimed her inaugural WTA 125 title in Mumbai, ending the season at No. 78.

The following year, 2018, solidified her rise: victories at the Connecticut Open and Premier 5 Wuhan Open, plus eight top-10 wins, earned her WTA Newcomer of the Year honors and a year-end No. 11 ranking.

In 2019, she defended Wuhan, won the WTA Elite Trophy, and peaked in doubles by securing the US Open title with Elise Mertens, completing the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami.

Despite serving inconsistencies plaguing 2020–2022, she amassed titles in Abu Dhabi, Madrid, and beyond, reaching semifinals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2021 to hit No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles after the 2021 Australian Open doubles win.

Her 2023 Australian Open triumph over Elena Rybakina marked her first major singles crown, ushering in a golden era.

Defending the title in 2024 against Zheng Qinwen, she added the US Open by defeating Jessica Pegula and clinched WTA Player of the Year.

In 2025, despite runner-up finishes at the Australian Open (to Madison Keys) and French Open (to Coco Gauff), she captured back-to-back US Open titles against Amanda Anisimova—becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the crown—along with WTA 1000 wins in Miami and Madrid, and a third Brisbane International, reaffirming her elite consistency.

Achievements

Sabalenka’s trophy cabinet gleams with unparalleled accomplishments, underscoring her status as a generational talent.

In singles, her four Grand Slam titles—the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens, plus consecutive 2024 and 2025 US Opens—highlight her hard-court mastery, with the latter feat echoing Serena Williams’ dominance.

She has amassed 21 WTA singles titles overall, including nine at the prestigious WTA 1000 level, such as three Wuhan Opens (2018, 2019, 2024) and back-to-back Madrid triumphs (2021, 2023).

In doubles, six WTA titles include two majors: the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open, both with Mertens, plus the rare Sunshine Double that year.

Her world No. 1 singles ranking, first attained in 2023, has been defended through 2025, while her 2021 doubles summit adds versatility to her resume.

Beyond titles, accolades abound: ITF World Champion in 2023, WTA Player of the Year in 2024, and records like the Cincinnati-US Open double in 2024.

Personal life

Sabalenka was born to Sergey, a former ice hockey player who instilled discipline until his tragic death from meningitis in November 2019 at age 43, and mother Yulia, who remains a steadfast supporter often seen in the stands.

Romantically, her life has navigated profound loss and renewal. She dated Belarusian ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov from 2021 until early 2024, when he died by apparent suicide in March 2024 in Miami, shortly after they had separated; Sabalenka mourned him deeply, calling it a “tough period” that tested her emotional strength.

Since spring 2024, she has been in a committed relationship with Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, the 35-year-old co-founder and CEO of the global açaí chain Oakberry, who also dabbles in race car driving.

Frequently spotted in her player box—cheering at the 2024 and 2025 US Opens and offering comic relief after losses, like posing with Jackie Chan post-2025 Australian Open defeat—the couple’s bond is marked by mutual support and lighthearted adventures, with Sabalenka crediting Frangulis for “always cheering me up” and keeping life fun.

Q&A

Q: How did Aryna Sabalenka overcome her serving struggles that plagued her early in her career?

Sabalenka’s notorious double faults, peaking at 19 in a single set during the 2020 French Open, stemmed from overthinking mechanics, but she turned it around by hiring a biomechanics coach in late 2022. This led to a refined motion emphasizing rhythm over power, resulting in just two double faults in her 2023 Australian Open final win and tour-leading ace totals since, transforming a weakness into her signature weapon.

Q: What role has her relationship with Georgios Frangulis played in her recent successes?

Frangulis has been a pillar of emotional stability since 2024, especially after Koltsov’s death, providing levity and unwavering support from the stands—clapping loudly without overreacting to keep her focused. Sabalenka has called him her “biggest cheerleader,” crediting their fun escapes for helping her navigate high-stakes seasons, as seen in his presence during her 2025 US Open defense.

Q: How has Sabalenka’s playing style evolved from her aggressive roots to current dominance?

Initially a flat-hitting baseliner prone to errors, Sabalenka has incorporated tactical variety, like improved net approaches and spin on clay, while retaining her forehand bombs. This maturation, honed through 2023’s Grand Slam breakthrough, allows her to outlast opponents in marathons, as evidenced by her three-set epics against Iga Świątek in Madrid and Rome finals.

Q: What impact did the death of her father have on her tennis career?

Sergey’s passing in 2019 devastated Sabalenka, who channeled grief into fuel, dedicating her 2020 Abu Dhabi title to him and using it as motivation during slumps. It deepened her mental resilience, evident in post-loss recoveries like rebounding from 2022’s inconsistencies to 2023’s No. 1 ascent, while strengthening her bond with mother Yulia.

Q: Why does Sabalenka compete as a neutral, and how has she addressed geopolitical issues?

Banned from national flags since Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion—due to Belarus’s alliance—Sabalenka plays as a neutral but has voiced support for peace, criticizing violence in Belarusian protests without fully endorsing opposition goals. She told media in 2022, “It’s not my fault,” emphasizing her focus on tennis while advocating dialogue amid criticism for her nuanced stance.