Aryna Sabalenka has roared her way to the pinnacle of women’s tennis, captivating fans with her ferocious power, aggressive baseline game, and fierce on-court emotional intensity. While her Grand Slam triumphs and battle for the World No. 1 ranking against rivals like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff dominate the headlines, the life of the Belarusian superstar is filled with fascinating details and deeply personal stories that often remain below the surface.
Here are five things you might not have known about the woman nicknamed ‘The Tiger,’ Aryna Sabalenka:
1. The Tiger Tattoo: A Rebellious, Fighting Talisman
Sabalenka’s most distinctive feature is arguably the striking tattoo of a roaring tiger on her left forearm, which has earned her the enduring nickname, “The Tiger.” However, the story behind the ink is more than just a nod to her being born in the Chinese Year of the Tiger (1998). She got the tattoo as a teenager, without telling her parents.
In an anecdote she has since shared with a laugh, the initial reaction from her family was less than enthusiastic. “My mom didn’t talk to me for one week,” Sabalenka recalled, expressing her mother’s shock at the unannounced permanent body art. Despite the initial family friction, the tiger has become a deeply personal talisman. Sabalenka sees it as a constant, visible reminder of her core motto: “Fight, keep fighting, on every single point!” It symbolizes the warrior spirit she strives to embody on the court, especially during the toughest moments.
2. Tennis Was a Complete Accident
Unlike many tennis prodigies who start with formal training from a very young age, Sabalenka’s initial foray into the sport was a twist of fate. Her father, Sergey Sabalenka, was a former professional ice hockey player and her biggest influence. One day, when Aryna was six years old, her father was driving her somewhere and they happened to pass by a local tennis court.
On a whim, he decided they should stop and give the sport a try. “He just took me to the courts. I liked it and enjoyed it, and that’s how it was. That’s how it started,” Sabalenka has explained. This random encounter, rather than a planned pathway, led her to eventually abandon other sports and dedicate herself entirely to the game, ultimately paving the way for her professional career and Grand Slam glory.
3. The Traumatic Struggle with the “Yips” in Her Serve
For a powerful player whose serve is now one of the biggest weapons in the women’s game, it is little-known that Sabalenka endured a highly public and traumatic struggle with her serve. During the 2022 season, her powerful, but often erratic, first serve completely abandoned her. She suffered from what is often referred to as the “yips,” a psychological affliction that causes a player to lose control over a repetitive motion.
In 2022, she registered a staggering 428 double faults, far exceeding any other player on the WTA Tour, and sometimes hit dozens in a single match. She admitted that the struggles were so severe that she contemplated quitting tennis altogether. A desperate Sabalenka turned to a biomechanics expert to correct a fundamental technical flaw in her motion, but ultimately overcame the crisis through sheer willpower and relentless practice. She credits the mental challenge of fixing her serve as a pivotal turning point that made her a stronger, more resilient champion.
4. She Skipped Junior Grand Slams for a Unique Pro Path
The traditional route for aspiring tennis professionals often involves a high-profile, successful career on the ITF Junior Circuit, culminating in appearances at the Junior Grand Slams. Aryna Sabalenka’s path was notably different.
She began playing on the professional-level ITF Women’s Circuit at a relatively young age and won her first ITF titles in 2015. However, she never competed in the main draw of any Junior Grand Slam tournament or the highest-level Grade-A events. By making the deliberate choice to focus on professional events earlier, she bypassed the junior spotlight that typically builds a player’s reputation. This unconventional, professional-centric development path meant her rise to the Top 100 was slightly later and less predictable, surprising many who hadn’t tracked her quiet ascent through the lower pro ranks.
5. Her Father’s Death Remains a Driving Force
The most poignant and enduring influence on Sabalenka’s career is the memory of her father, Sergey, who suddenly passed away in November 2019 at the young age of 43. His unexpected death from meningitis was a devastating blow to the then-21-year-old player, especially as he was the one who introduced her to the sport and was her biggest supporter.
Despite her immense grief, Sabalenka chose to continue competing, stating that his dream was for her to become the World No. 1 and win a Grand Slam. This tragic loss has since served as a profound motivation, fueling her fighting spirit and reminding her of the bigger picture outside the court. Every victory and milestone in her career is, in a way, a tribute to the man who first put a racket in her hand and instilled in her the mentality of a champion.
Leave a Reply