Aryna Siarhiejeŭna Sabalenka, born on May 5, 1998, in Minsk, Belarus, has solidified her place as one of the most formidable forces in women’s tennis. As the current world No. 1 in singles, according to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), and a former world No. 1 in doubles, Sabalenka’s journey from a young talent to a global tennis icon is a testament to her relentless drive, powerful playing style, and ability to overcome personal and professional challenges. With 20 WTA singles titles, including three Grand Slam titles, and six doubles titles, her career trajectory showcases both her athletic prowess and her resilience in the face of adversity.
Early Life and Introduction to Tennis
Sabalenka’s introduction to tennis was serendipitous. Born in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, she was raised by her father, Siarhiej, a former ice hockey player who passed away in 2019. It was a chance encounter that sparked her tennis journey: her father, while driving her around, noticed tennis courts and decided to take her there. “I liked it and enjoyed it, and that’s how it started,” Sabalenka recalled.
She began training at the National Tennis Academy in Minsk in 2014, choosing to focus on low-level professional events over junior tournaments, a strategic decision by the Belarusian Tennis Federation that fast-tracked her professional career. By 2015, she had won her first ITF title in doubles and was competing on the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour, laying the foundation for her rapid rise.
Breakthrough and Rise to Prominence
Sabalenka’s breakthrough came in 2017 when she played a pivotal role in leading the Belarus Fed Cup team to the final, alongside Aliaksandra Sasnovich, despite both being ranked outside the top 75. This performance put her on the global stage, and by 2018, she had climbed to No. 11 in the world singles rankings. Her aggressive, high-risk playing style—characterized by powerful serves often exceeding 190 km/h and a barrage of winners—began to draw attention. However, this approach also led to high unforced error counts, a challenge she would work to refine over the years.
In 2019, Sabalenka found success in both singles and doubles. She won the WTA Elite Trophy in singles, defeating Kiki Bertens, and achieved significant success in doubles with partner Elise Mertens, securing the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) and the US Open doubles title. This propelled her to the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 2021, though she later shifted her focus to singles. Her first Grand Slam singles title came at the 2023 Australian Open, followed by back-to-back victories at the 2024 Australian Open and the 2024 US Open, cementing her status as a major champion.
Grand Slam Success and Playing Style
Sabalenka’s three Grand Slam singles titles—2023 and 2024 Australian Open, and 2024 US Open—highlight her dominance on hard courts, her preferred surface. Her 2024 US Open victory, where she defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5, made her only the fifth woman in the Open Era to win both the Australian Open and US Open in the same year.
She also holds nine WTA 1000 titles, including three at the Madrid Open (2021, 2023, 2025) and two at the Wuhan Open (2018, 2019, 2024). Her powerful serve, aggressive baseline play, and ability to hit winners from seemingly impossible positions define her game, though her high-risk style can lead to inconsistency, as noted by former player Andrea Petkovic, who pointed out recent struggles with her serve.
Challenges and Resilience
Sabalenka’s career has not been without setbacks. In 2022, she battled serving issues, hitting 428 double faults across 55 matches. With the help of biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, she overcame this hurdle, transforming her serve into one of her greatest weapons. Personal tragedies have also tested her resilience. The death of her father in 2019 and the loss of her former partner, Konstantin Koltsov, in 2024 deeply affected her.
Following Koltsov’s death, Sabalenka initially continued competing, practicing publicly before the Miami Open and playing against her friend Paula Badosa. Reflecting later, she acknowledged that taking time off might have been wiser, a lesson reinforced by a shoulder injury that forced her to miss Wimbledon in 2024. “I realized it only after I was injured and had to step back that actually it was something much needed,” she said.
Off-Court Persona and Advocacy
Sabalenka’s personality—vibrant, candid, and occasionally controversial—has made her a polarizing figure. Her sarcastic remarks about her team after losses, such as after the 2025 Stuttgart Open final, drew criticism from former coach Rennae Stubbs, who called them “passive-aggressive” and urged her to show more appreciation. Despite this, Sabalenka’s humor and warmth shine through in moments like her playful exchange with Yulia Putintseva at the 2025 Brisbane International, where she jokingly promised a “nice present” for Putintseva’s birthday after defeating her.
Sabalenka has also been vocal about gender equality in tennis, particularly criticizing the French Open’s scheduling practices that favor men’s matches for prime-time slots. “We deserve equal treatment,” she stated after her 2025 French Open victory over Qinwen Zheng, joining players like Coco Gauff and Madison Keys in advocating for fair representation. Her stance reflects a broader push for inclusivity in the sport.
Rivalries and Future Prospects
Sabalenka’s rivalry with Iga Swiatek, the former world No. 1, has been a highlight of recent seasons. Their 2025 French Open semifinal clash was described as a “final before the hour,” with Sabalenka’s improved physicality on clay giving her an edge, though Swiatek leads their head-to-head 8-4. Sabalenka’s ability to compete on clay, a surface where she historically struggled, signals her growing versatility. Her 2025 season, despite losses in finals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Stuttgart, included titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid, reinforcing her consistency at the highest level.
Legacy in the Making
At 27, Sabalenka is at the peak of her powers, with a career-high ranking of world No. 1 and a game that continues to evolve. Her journey from a chance discovery on a Minsk tennis court to a three-time Grand Slam champion is a story of talent, perseverance, and adaptability. While she navigates the pressures of fame, personal loss, and the demands of professional tennis, Sabalenka remains a fierce competitor and a vocal advocate for change. As she continues to chase titles and refine her game, her legacy as one of tennis’s most electrifying talents is already taking shape.