Who is Aryna Sabalenka, one of the world's No. 1 tennis players?
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka stunned fans and critics alike on Thursday after defeating No. 5 seed Iga Swiatek 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 in their
semifinal showdown. With this gritty performance, Sabalenka—a three-time Grand Slam singles champion and two-time runner-up—has now made it to her first Grand Slam final on clay.
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'I'm super happy with the win today and beating Iga at Roland Garros,' Sabalenka said after the match. 'It's just something unbelievable and something I'm super proud of... just happy to get through this difficult match.'
From her beginnings in Belarus to the top of the tennis world, Aryna Sabalenka's rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Here's a look at the woman behind the power game.
Early Life: From ice rinks to tennis courts
Aryna Siarhiejeŭna Sabalenka was born on May 5, 1998, in Minsk, Belarus, to parents Sergey and Yulia Sabalenka.
Her father, a former professional ice hockey player, accidentally discovered tennis when he drove past courts and suggested young Aryna give it a shot. What began as a chance encounter blossomed into a lifelong passion.
Her father's sudden death from meningitis in 2019 at the age of 43 deeply impacted her. Sabalenka often speaks of his influence and carries his dreams with her on the court. She also has a younger sister, Tonechka, and remains close to her family.
The tiger tattoo on her left arm—a symbol of strength and aggression—has become a signature, earning her the nickname 'The Tiger.'
Credit: X
Education
Sabalenka attended Belarusian State University, pursuing a degree related to sports. Though her focus quickly shifted to professional tennis.
A different path to tennis stardom
Unlike many of her peers, Sabalenka didn't climb the junior Grand Slam ranks. Her competitive career began relatively late on the ITF Women's Circuit in 2012, and she didn't secure a main draw win until 2014.
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In 2015, the Belarusian Tennis Federation steered her toward professional events over junior tournaments—a strategy that paid off.
Her breakout came in 2017, when she and compatriot Aliaksandra Sasnovich led Belarus to a surprising Fed Cup final, despite being ranked outside the top 75. That performance pushed her into the global spotlight, and she ended the year ranked No. 78.
By 2018, she had claimed her first WTA title at the Connecticut Open, broken into the top 20, and began drawing comparisons to Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, both her idols.
Career highlights and rise to world no. 1
Sabalenka's game is characterized by raw power—booming serves, heavy groundstrokes, and an uncompromising style. She ended both 2018 and 2019 ranked No. 11, then climbed steadily.
Her 2023 season marked a historic run: she became the first player since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in one year. By September 2023, she reached the world No. 1 ranking, and after a brief shift, reclaimed it in December 2024.
The 2025 season has been particularly dominant. Sabalenka won titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid, and although she fell short in the Australian Open and Indian Wells finals—both to Madison Keys—she remains a dominant force with a 48–37 record against top-10 opponents.
Personal life: Love, loss, and new beginnings
Off the court, Sabalenka's personal life has been marked by highs and heartbreaking lows. She was briefly engaged in 2019, though the relationship ended quietly.
From 2021 to early 2024, she was in a relationship with Konstantin Koltsov, a former NHL and Olympic ice hockey player. Their relationship ended shortly before Koltsov's tragic death by suicide in March 2024 in Miami, while he was attending the Miami Open to support her.
In the months following, Sabalenka found new support in Georgios Frangulis, a Brazilian entrepreneur and founder of Oakberry, a superfood brand she officially endorsed in early 2024. The couple began dating in April 2024, and Frangulis has been a regular fixture in her player's box since.
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