Aryna Sabalenka is the world No. 1, however she already is aware of what she needs to do after tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka revealed that she wished to attempt boxing after tennis (Picture: Getty)
Aryna Sabalenka is barely 27 years previous, however she already is aware of what she needs to do when she retires from skilled tennis. The Belarusian has spent 86 weeks and counting at No. 1 on the earth, and already has 4 Grand Slam titles to her identify. She not too long ago accomplished the Sunshine Double and reveals no indicators of slowing down.
However that doesn’t imply Sabalenka hasn’t thought of life after tennis, and the latest Miami Open champion believes she must flip her consideration to a very totally different sport to channel her aggressive sport fashion into one thing else.
“Till the top of my life, I’ll should do one thing the place I’m that aggressive—perhaps boxing—as a result of I really feel like I’m balancing these two personalities very well,” the 24-time title winner advised Esquire. “On the court docket, I’m fairly aggressive, fairly emotional, which I have to be to tug out my greatest tennis. Off the court docket, I’m a very totally different particular person.”
Boxing is a good distance off for Sabalenka proper now, because the world No. 1 admitted tennis has saved her. “If not for tennis, I don’t know the place I’d be proper now,” she admitted.
Sabalenka’s father, Sergey, handed away instantly in November 2019 when he was aged simply 43. The Belarusian returned to competitors for the beginning of the 2020 season. Their dream was for her to win a few Grand Slam titles earlier than she turned 25, and she or he received her first Australian Open title in 2023, months earlier than her twenty fifth birthday.
She defended her crown in Melbourne Park in 2024 and has since received back-to-back US Open titles, lifting the trophy in 2024 and 2025. “Going by loss, it’s vital to do your work, hold your self distracted,” Sabalenka defined.
Final month Aryna Sabalenka obtained a pet, obtained engaged, and received two titles (Picture: Getty)
“On the identical time, it’s vital to grieve, to cry, to undergo the feelings. By no means maintain it inside, as a result of it’ll destroy you from the within. I used to be letting it go, however I used to be in a position to go on the court docket and follow.”
Sabalenka not too long ago achieved one other large purpose, finishing the Sunshine Double by profitable Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. She had by no means received Indian Wells earlier than, and it turned out to be probably the greatest months of Sabalenka’s life each on and off the court docket.
Days earlier than Indian Wells obtained underway, her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, obtained down on one knee and popped the query in a romantic poolside setting. And Sabalenka additionally obtained a brand new pet, Ash.
Sabalenka is perhaps eager to attempt her hand at boxing as soon as she’s hung up her racket, however for now, the world No. 1 has loads to play for.
Get tennis information, scores and event outcomes plus chosen gives and competitions Subscribe Invalid e-mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This will embrace adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You possibly can unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Keep up-to-date with the newest Tennis information Be a part of us on WhatsApp
Our neighborhood members are handled to particular gives, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions. You possibly can try at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Leave a Reply