Belarusian · Minsk, Belarus · Born 5 May 1998Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player who has reached world No. 1 and won four Grand Slam singles titles, two each at the Australian Open and US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka was born on 5 May 1998 in Minsk, Belarus, and began playing tennis by chance at six, after her father, Sergey, a former ice hockey player, spotted a neighbourhood court while driving and suggested they try it. She has since credited him as her greatest inspiration; he died unexpectedly of meningitis in 2019 at just 43. Sabalenka began training at Minsk's National Tennis Academy from its founding in 2014, and turned professional the following year, developing into one of the most powerful servers and ball-strikers on the WTA Tour, renowned for an aggressive, high-risk baseline game and a growling tiger tattoo on her forearm that earned her the nickname "The Tiger." Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam doubles titles partnering Elise Mertens at the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open, before breaking through in singles at the 2023 Australian Open, defeating Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set final for her maiden major title. She reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time on 11 September 2023. Sabalenka defended her Australian Open title in 2024, and won the US Open in both 2024 and 2025, reaching four Grand Slam finals in total across her career, including the 2025 French Open. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she has competed as a neutral athlete, unable to represent Belarus under its own flag at many tournaments, and remains, alongside rivals Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff, one of the dominant figures of her generation in women's tennis.
Belarusian world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion
She won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 — the first woman to do so since Victoria Azarenka in 2012-13.
Did You Know?How They Played
Sabalenka is known for her aggressive, power-based game built around a devastating serve and explosive forehand. She plays with exceptional court coverage and generates tremendous pace from both wings, often overwhelming opponents with her attacking style.
Lasting Impact
Sabalenka became the first Belarusian player to reach world No. 1 and win a Grand Slam singles title, inspiring a new generation of tennis players from her country.
Career Honours
- Australian Open 2023, 2024
- US Open 2024, 2025
- multi-year year-end world No. 1
Belarusian Athletes