Latest news with #BelarusianStateUniversity
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now '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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Azerbaijani man sentenced for ‘treason' after speaking with Armenian historian, jailed for 18 years
Igbal Abilov, an Azerbaijani scholar and lecturer at Belarusian State University, was sentenced to 18 years in jail over his online communication with Armenian academic Professor Garnik Asatrian, reported the Armenian Report. The harsh verdict came after Abilov was found guilty of 'high treason' and 'collaborating with Armenian special services.' The outlet, however, reported that Asatrian is not a political figure or military strategist. He is a professor known for researching languages, cultures, and ethnic histories. The professor works at Yerevan State University and the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University. 'It's been exactly nine months since our son was taken from us,' Shahib Abilov, father of Igbal Abilov, told Jam News after his arrest. The 36-year-old jailed researcher was involved in studies about the national culture of the Talysh people in Azerbaijan. He was arrested in July 2024 on charges of treason. He reportedly exchanged messages with Asatrian over Skype, which the government claimed "incite interethnic hostility'. Shahib Abilov recounted that his son was interrogated for hours by the State Security Service. The authorities said Iqbal Avilov's phone was tapped despite him not living in Azerbaijan. 'But then they let him go. He came out smiling, just as we were used to seeing him. They told me: 'He's a scholar — let him do his research, not get involved in other matters.' I replied: 'But he isn't involved in anything else,'' Shahib told Jam News. 'On 19 July, we received a call saying, 'Tell him to come to Masalli (260 km from Baku) to collect his documents.' We thought — thank God, there is justice,' he recalled. 'We arrived there and waited by the gates while Igbal went inside. Barely five minutes later, a car sped past at high speed. We grew anxious and went inside. We asked, 'What happened?' They told us, 'Yes, he was taken away.' After that, we notified the Ombudsman's Office and returned to Baku. There we were officially told that he had been arrested. 'For what?' I asked. They replied: 'We don't know. It's a political case',' Shahib recollected. As per a report by the Armenian Report, Azerbaijan has tightened its security measures and its crackdown on people it sees as a political threat, including journalists and activists. Abilov's arrest comes amid the existing tension between the nations following the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh and the Azerbaijan military's takeover of an Armenian region in 2023.
