Aryna Sabalenka, born in Minsk, Belarus, is today one of the biggest names in women’s tennis. Known for her aggressive baseline game, explosive serve, and fearless spirit, she has achieved Grand Slam glory and risen to World No. 1 in the WTA rankings. But behind her success lies a close-knit family, including her siblings, who play an important role in her journey.
Aryna was born to Sergey and Yulia Sabalenka. Her father, a professional ice hockey player, first introduced her to tennis when she was just six years old after a chance encounter with a local court. That moment changed the course of her life forever, planting the seeds of a career that would eventually bring her global recognition.
Aryna Sabalenka’s older brother Andrei
Aryna has an older brother, Andrei Sabalenka, who, like their father, gravitated toward ice hockey. Andrei has pursued a career in the sport but prefers to stay away from media attention.
While he does not share the spotlight with his famous sister, his presence reflects the sporting legacy that runs through the Sabalenka family. The athletic DNA is evident, and the dedication and discipline required in sports may have influenced Aryna’s mindset as she carved her own path in tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka’s younger sister Tonechka
Aryna also has a younger sister, Tonechka Sabalenka, born in 2009, making her more than a decade younger than Aryna. Despite keeping a very low profile, Tonechka has occasionally been seen in Aryna’s social media posts. In one heartfelt birthday message, Aryna wrote: “Happy birthday my beautiful sis. Love you so much.” That simple but powerful declaration captured the bond the two share.
Tonechka has also been acknowledged publicly in more unexpected ways. During the 2023 Madrid Open, Aryna paused mid-interview after a match to fulfill a promise: “I promised my sister to say ‘Hi’ to her, so ‘Hi Tonya, I love you and I miss you.’” The gesture highlighted how important her sister is to her, even in the middle of intense competition.
In early 2025, Tonechka joined Aryna at the Qatar Open, and Aryna posted a light-hearted Instagram story of her younger sister working on a laptop while eating snacks, joking: “Put your sister to work day. Oops, I mean ‘take.’” This playful moment showed that Tonechka remains a grounding influence in Aryna’s busy life as a top athlete.
The role of family in Aryna Sabalenka’s career
Aryna has openly shared how much her siblings and family inspire her to achieve more. She once explained: “I want them to be proud of me, to bring some positivity into their lives because they get happy when I win. And I want it to be a great example for my sister; she’s 11 years younger. I want her to see a good example [in me] just like I saw in my father.”
Her father Sergey’s untimely passing in 2019 left a huge void in her life. Yet, Aryna has carried his words of encouragement with her, promising herself and her family that she would succeed for him. “Every time I see my name on that trophy, I’m so proud of myself, I’m proud of my family that they never gave up on my dream,” she once said in tribute. For Aryna, winning is not only about personal glory but also about honoring her father’s belief in her and inspiring her siblings.
Aryna Sabalenka’s career and accolades
Sabalenka rose through the ranks with her aggressive playing style and mental toughness, becoming a multiple-time Grand Slam champion and reaching the pinnacle of the sport by attaining world number one in both singles and doubles.
Her Grand Slam journey is among the most impressive of her generation. Sabalenka captured her first major singles title at the Australian Open in 2023, a triumph she successfully defended in 2024. She went on to secure another milestone victory by winning the U.S. Open in 2024.
In total, she has appeared in seven Grand Slam singles finals, winning three and finishing runner-up on three other occasions. In doubles, Sabalenka has also made her mark, winning the U.S. Open in 2019 and the Australian Open in 2021 alongside Elise Mertens, with whom she formed a formidable partnership that saw her rise to the top of the doubles rankings.
On the WTA Tour, Sabalenka has accumulated an impressive collection of titles. She has lifted 20 singles trophies, including nine at the prestigious WTA 1000 level. Her victories span across major events such as the Wuhan Open in 2018, 2019, and 2024, the Qatar Open in 2020, the Madrid Open in 2021, 2023, and 2025, the Cincinnati Open in 2024, and the Miami Open in 2025. In doubles, she has six career titles, highlighting her versatility and success across formats.
Her rise to the top of the rankings is a reflection of her consistency and dominance on tour. Sabalenka first became world number one in singles in September 2023 and has held that position for several weeks across different stretches.
Earlier, in February 2021, she reached number one in doubles, spending a total of six weeks at the summit. These milestones confirm her status as one of the rare players to have achieved the top ranking in both disciplines.
Beyond individual success, Sabalenka has been an inspiring figure for Belarusian tennis. She played a key role in leading her nation to the Fed Cup final in 2017 at a time when she was still outside the top 75 in the rankings. Two years later, she capped her strong performances by winning the WTA Elite Trophy in 2019, further proving her ability to compete and win at the highest levels.
Her career has been defined not only by titles but also by remarkable consistency. So far, Sabalenka has reached 12 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals, a streak that underscores her ability to deliver at the biggest tournaments year after year. She has already played finals at the Australian Open and French Open this season, and she entered the U.S. Open looking to defend her crown.
Sabalenka’s influence extends beyond the court. In 2024, she was ranked among the world’s highest-paid female athletes, placing fifth on Forbes’ list and tenth among all tennis players. She was also named ITF World Champion in 2023, further cementing her reputation as one of the sport’s elite.
With three Grand Slam singles titles, two doubles majors, 20 WTA singles trophies, and nine WTA 1000 triumphs to her name, Aryna Sabalenka has already built a legacy worthy of admiration.