Aryna Sabalenka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka playing in 2026
Full name	Aryna Sabalenka
Native name	Арына Сяргееўна Сабаленка
Country (sports)	Belarus
Residence	Miami, Florida, US
Born	(1998-05-05) 5 May 1998 (age 28) Minsk, Belarus
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Turned pro	2015
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Anton Dubrov
Prize money	US$ 53,222,999 2nd all-time in earnings
Official website	arynasabalenka.komi.io
Singles
Career record	506–203
Career titles	24
Highest ranking	No. 1 (11 September 2023)
Current ranking	No. 2 (14 September 2026)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	W (2023, 2024)
French Open	F (2025)
Wimbledon	SF (2021, 2023, 2025)
US Open	W (2024, 2025)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	F (2022, 2025)
Olympic Games	2R (2021)
Doubles
Career record	90–67
Career titles	6
Highest ranking	No. 1 (22 February 2021)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	W (2021)
French Open	SF (2019)
Wimbledon	QF (2019)
US Open	W (2019)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour Finals	RR (2019)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Wimbledon	2R (2019)
US Open	1R (2026)
Team competitions
Fed Cup	F (2017)

Aryna Sabalenka is a world-class professional tennis player from Belarus. She has reached the world No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles play. Fans know her for her powerful groundstrokes, energetic personality, and fierce competitiveness. Sabalenka has won four major Grand Slam singles championships: the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, and the US Open in 2024 and 2025.

Sabalenka is also an accomplished doubles competitor. Alongside her frequent partner Elise Mertens, she won Grand Slam doubles titles at the 2019 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open. With her trademark tiger tattoo, Sabalenka earned the nickname "The Tiger" because of her fearless, attacking style on the court. Her remarkable journey shows how hard work and mental toughness can turn raw talent into athletic excellence.

Early Life and How Aryna Discovered Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka was born on 5 May 1998 in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus. Her father, Sergey Sabalenka, was an ice hockey player who encouraged her athletic interests.

Sabalenka started playing tennis purely by accident when she was six years old. One day, her father was driving her through Minsk and noticed outdoor tennis courts along the road. He decided to stop the car and let her try hitting a few balls. Sabalenka loved the feeling of striking the tennis ball right away.

She began training regularly and joined the National Tennis Academy in Minsk when it opened in 2014. Her coaches noticed her natural power and quick reflexes. In 2015, tennis officials advised her to enter entry-level professional tournaments rather than junior tournaments. This decision helped her gain valuable experience against older, seasoned opponents early in her career.

Professional Tennis Career Journey

Beginning on the Professional Circuit (2012–2016)

Sabalenka entered her first tournaments on the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour in 2012 in Minsk. The competition was difficult, and she did not win a main-draw match during her first two years. However, she kept practicing and improving her technique.

Her breakthrough came in late 2014 when she won her first match in Istanbul, Turkey. In October 2015, she won two consecutive tournament titles in Antalya. By the end of 2015, Sabalenka had won another title that pushed her inside the top 300 rankings.

In 2016, she won two important events in Tianjin and Toyota. These victories lifted her world ranking to No. 137. She also made her first appearance representing Belarus in team tennis competition.

Breaking Into the Top 100 (2017)

Sabalenka at the 2017 Washington Open

The year 2017 was a major turning point for Sabalenka. She qualified for her first WTA Tour main draw in Dubai. Later that summer, she qualified for Wimbledon and won her first Grand Slam match by defeating Irina Khromacheva.

She also played well in Washington, D.C., where she defeated top-40 player Lauren Davis. In the autumn, Sabalenka reached her first WTA semifinal at the Tashkent Open in Uzbekistan.

Soon after, she reached her first WTA tournament final at the Tianjin Open. In that final, she played against her childhood tennis idol, Maria Sharapova. Although Sabalenka lost a close match, her performance pushed her into the world top 100 for the first time. She ended the year by winning the Mumbai Open, finishing at No. 78.

First WTA Titles and Top 20 Ranking (2018)

Sabalenka playing on grass at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships

In 2018, Sabalenka began competing exclusively at top-tier WTA tournaments. In April, she reached the final of the clay-court tournament in Lugano, Switzerland.

Her grass-court season was even more successful. At the Eastbourne International, she defeated defending champion Karolína Plíšková for her first win over a top-ten player. She reached the final before falling to world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki.

During the North American summer hardcourt season, Sabalenka's aggressive game shined:

• At the Canadian Open, she defeated world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki.
• In Cincinnati, she reached the semifinals by defeating top-ten stars Karolína Plíšková and Caroline Garcia.
• In New Haven, Connecticut, she won her first WTA Premier title.
• At the US Open, she reached the fourth round and took eventual champion Naomi Osaka to three sets.

In September, Sabalenka won the prestigious Wuhan Open in China by defeating Anett Kontaveit in the final. By the end of 2018, her ranking jumped to world No. 11, and she received the WTA Newcomer of the Year award.

Big Doubles Wins and Top 10 Singles Debut (2019)

Mertens and Sabalenka during the 2019 French Open

Sabalenka started 2019 by winning the singles title at the Shenzhen Open. After reaching the third round of the Australian Open, she broke into the world singles top 10 for the very first time.

She also formed an outstanding doubles team with Belgian player Elise Mertens. In March, the duo achieved the rare "Sunshine Double." This means they won back-to-back doubles championships at the Indian Wells Masters in California and the Miami Open in Florida.

In September 2019, Sabalenka and Mertens captured their first Grand Slam doubles trophy at the US Open, defeating Victoria Azarenka and Ashleigh Barty in the final. Later that autumn, Sabalenka defended her singles title at the Wuhan Open and won the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

Consistent Success During Challenging Times (2020)

In early 2020, Sabalenka won the Qatar Total Open in Doha by defeating Petra Kvitová in straight sets. When the global pandemic paused professional sports, she spent time training at home.

When tour play resumed later that year, Sabalenka finished the season with remarkable momentum:

• She won the singles title at the Ostrava Open in the Czech Republic.
• She won the Ostrava doubles title with Elise Mertens in the same week.
• She won the Linz Open in Austria by defeating Mertens in the singles final.

These victories gave Sabalenka a nine-match winning streak to close the year, earning her a finish inside the world top 10.

Grand Slam Semifinals and Doubles World No. 1 (2021)

Sabalenka competing at the 2021 French Open

Sabalenka began 2021 on fire by winning the Abu Dhabi Open, extending her winning streak to 15 matches. In February, she partnered with Elise Mertens to win the Australian Open women's doubles title. Following this victory, Sabalenka became the world No. 1 ranked doubles player.

In May, she won the Madrid Open on clay, defeating world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in an exciting three-set final.

Sabalenka then made deep runs in major singles events:

• She reached her first Grand Slam singles semifinal at Wimbledon.
• She reached another Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open.
• Her steady results lifted her singles ranking to world No. 2.

Overcoming Challenges on Court (2022)

The 2022 season tested Sabalenka's resilience. Early in the year, she struggled with her serve, committing many double faults. Instead of becoming discouraged, she hired a biomechanics specialist named Gavin MacMillan to rebuild her serving mechanics.

Her dedication paid off during the second half of the season. She reached the semifinals of the US Open for the second straight year, playing a tough match against world No. 1 Iga Świątek.

At the season-ending WTA Finals in Texas, Sabalenka defeated the top three players in the world during the event: Iga Świątek, Ons Jabeur, and Jessica Pegula. She finished as the tournament runner-up, proving that her mechanical adjustments had restored her confidence.

First Major Singles Championship and World No. 1 (2023)

Sabalenka at the 2023 US Open

Sabalenka began 2023 playing the best tennis of her career. She won the Adelaide International without dropping a single set.

At the 2023 Australian Open, she charged into the final to face reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. In a thrilling, hard-hitting match, Sabalenka fought back after losing the first set to win 4–6, 6–3, 6–4. This gave Sabalenka her first Grand Slam singles championship.

Her outstanding season continued across all surfaces:

• She won her second Madrid Open title on clay, beating Iga Świątek in the final.
• She reached the semifinals at the French Open and Wimbledon.
• She became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the semifinals of all four majors in one calendar year.
• She reached the final of the US Open.

Following the US Open, Sabalenka achieved a lifetime dream by becoming the world No. 1 singles player on 11 September 2023.

Dominating Hard Courts and Defending Major Titles (2024)

Sabalenka at the 2024 US Open

Sabalenka entered 2024 eager to defend her crown in Melbourne. At the 2024 Australian Open, she delivered a masterclass in power tennis, winning all seven matches without dropping a set. In the final, she defeated Zheng Qinwen 6–3, 6–2 to become the first woman to defend the Australian Open title in eleven years.

Sabalenka lifting the 2024 US Open singles trophy

During the summer, she won the Cincinnati Open without dropping a set, beating world No. 1 Iga Świątek along the way. She carried that momentum directly into New York.

At the 2024 US Open, Sabalenka advanced to the final and defeated American star Jessica Pegula 7–5, 7–5. Winning this trophy made her only the fifth woman in modern tennis history to win both the Australian Open and the US Open in the same calendar year.

In October, she won her third career title at the Wuhan Open and regained the world No. 1 ranking, finishing as the year-end No. 1 for the first time. She was officially named the WTA Player of the Year.

A Year at World No. 1 (2025)

Sabalenka maintained an exceptionally high level of performance throughout 2025:

• She won the Brisbane International in January.
• She reached her third consecutive Australian Open final.
• She won the Miami Open title without dropping a single set.
• She captured her third Madrid Open title on clay, defeating Coco Gauff in the final.
• She reached her first career French Open singles final at Roland Garros.

Sabalenka speaking to reporters in 2025

At the 2025 US Open, Sabalenka defended her crown by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6–3, 7–6 in the final. She became the first woman to successfully defend the US Open singles championship since Serena Williams in 2014.

Sabalenka held the world No. 1 ranking without interruption for the entire 2025 season, earning WTA Player of the Year honors for the second year in a row.

Sunshine Double and Continued Excellence (2026)

Sabalenka started 2026 by defending her Brisbane International title and reaching her fourth straight Australian Open final.

In March, she completed the prestigious "Sunshine Double" in singles by winning the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open back-to-back. With this victory, Sabalenka became the first tennis player in history to achieve the Sunshine Double in both singles and doubles during a career.

Later that spring, she was honored with the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award, celebrating her athletic achievements and sportsmanship on the global stage.

Representing Belarus in the Billie Jean King Cup

Sabalenka has been a dedicated team player for Belarus in international team tennis, formerly called the Fed Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup).

The Historic 2017 Final Run

In 2017, Belarus reached the World Group final for the first time in national history. The team was seen as an underdog because their veteran leader Victoria Azarenka was unable to play. Sabalenka and her teammate Aliaksandra Sasnovich, both ranked outside the top 75, stepped up:

• In the quarterfinals against the Netherlands, Sabalenka won the deciding match over Michaëlla Krajicek.
• In the semifinals against Switzerland, Sabalenka defeated Viktorija Golubic to send Belarus into the championship round.
• In the final against the United States in Minsk, Sabalenka upset reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Although the United States narrowly won the final in a deciding doubles match, the exciting run inspired thousands of young children in Belarus to pick up tennis rackets.

Playing Style and What Makes Her Successful

Sabalenka serving during a match

Aggressive Baseline Game

Sabalenka plays as an aggressive baseliner. She stands near the baseline and hits the ball early with tremendous speed and topspin. Her forehand is one of the fastest in tennis history, often clocked at speeds over 129 km/h (80 mph). Her backhand is hit with two hands, giving her great control when redirecting shots down the line.

A Powerful Serve

Sabalenka uses her tall height (1.82 meters, or 6 feet) to generate high velocity on her first serve. Working with biomechanics experts, she created a smooth, repeatable motion that allows her to hit aces into the corners of the service box. Her improved second serve makes it difficult for opponents to attack her service games.

Mental Toughness and Tiebreak Mastery

Tennis matches often come down to a few critical points called tiebreaks. Sabalenka is famous for playing her best tennis under pressure. In 2025, she set a professional record by winning 22 out of 25 tiebreaks during the season, including 19 in a row. Her ability to stay calm and trust her shots when matches are close has made her a champion.

Major Tennis Rivalries

Elena Rybakina

Sabalenka and Kazakh star Elena Rybakina share one of modern tennis's most exciting rivalries. Both players are powerful hitters with huge serves, creating fast, dramatic rallies. They met in the Australian Open finals in both 2023 and 2026, pushing each other to three tough sets each time.

Iga Świątek

Sabalenka and Polish champion Iga Świątek have battled for the world No. 1 ranking across multiple seasons. Świątek is famous for her exceptional court movement and heavy spin, while Sabalenka attacks with direct power. Their three-set battles on clay in Madrid and Paris are considered modern tennis classics.

Coco Gauff

Sabalenka and American star Coco Gauff have met in major finals across the globe, including the US Open and French Open. Gauff's incredible defensive speed against Sabalenka's relentless attacking power creates exciting contrasts of styles that entertain tennis fans everywhere.

Coaches, Gear, and Off-Court Life

Sabalenka at the French Open

Sabalenka works with head coach Anton Dubrov, who was once her practice partner. Her training team also includes fitness coaches and consultants such as former doubles champion Max Mirnyi.

Sabalenka uses Wilson tennis racquets and wears Nike athletic apparel and footwear.

Off the court, Sabalenka enjoys studying sports science, spending time near the beach in Florida, and staying connected with friends and family. Her trademark tiger tattoo on her forearm represents strength, bravery, and self-confidence, reminding her to fight for every single point.

Career Highlights and Records

Grand Slam Singles Tournament Records

• (W = Champion; F = Finalist/Runner-up; SF = Semifinalist; QF = Quarterfinalist; NH = Not Held; A = Absent)

Grand Slam Championship Finals

Singles: 9 Finals (4 Titles, 5 Runner-ups)

Doubles: 2 Finals (2 Titles)

See also

In Spanish: Aryna Sabalenka para niños