Cover World No 1 female tennis player Aryna Sabalenka wears a Ferragamo blazer and skirt, a Miu Miu scarf and Jimmy Choo heels. She is accessorised with Claudia Ma fine jewellery fancy natural diamond earrings in 18K yellow gold, a yellow heart-shaped natural diamond ring set in white coral and 18K white gold, a natural diamond tennis bracelet in 18K white gold; her own necklaces, bracelet and watch. (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
World No 1 female tennis player Aryna Sabalenka wears a Ferragamo blazer and skirt, a Miu Miu scarf and Jimmy Choo heels. She is accessorised with Claudia Ma fine jewellery fancy natural diamond earrings in 18K yellow gold, a yellow heart-shaped natural diamond ring set in white coral and 18K white gold, a natural diamond tennis bracelet in 18K white gold; her own necklaces, bracelet and watch. (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
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From career-threatening serves to Grand Slam glory, women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is stepping into the new season stronger, steadier and more fearless—on and off the court
All eyes were on Dubai in the final week of 2025 as Aryna Sabalenka stepped where even icons like Serena Williams have hesitated: into a high-stakes “Battle of the Sexes” singles tennis match. Organised by TLive and Tatler, the match saw the women’s world No 1 face off against 2022 Wimbledon men’s finalist Nick Kyrgios. Sabalenka brought a fresh, fearless energy to the sport, proving her grit can command any stage.
Yet, for Sabalenka, the real battle isn’t found in exhibitions or gender-balancing court rules—it lies in the gruelling 2026 season ahead. Her true challenge is much greater: defending her world No. 1 ranking and the relentless pursuit of more Grand Slam titles.
While our exclusive interview with Sabalenka took place just as the “Battle of the Sexes” match-up was announced, this in-depth look into her world offers a vital window into the mind of a champion who refuses to play it safe. In fact, following her match with Kyrgios, Sabalenka was as defiant as ever, telling the media: “I don’t understand the drama. For me, this was about testing my limits and having fun before the real pressure starts.” It is this blend of joy and steel that makes her such a compelling figure in tennis today.
Above Sabalenka wears a Ferragamo blazer, skirt and a Nike top. She is accessorised with a Carnet Jewellery Fleur d’Or Blanc white and yellow diamond necklace in platinum, white gold and yellow gold; her own necklaces (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Sabalenka wears a Ferragamo blazer, skirt and a Nike top. She is accessorised with a Carnet Jewellery Fleur d’Or Blanc white and yellow diamond necklace in platinum, white gold and yellow gold; her own necklaces (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
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That steel was on full display last September. When she won the final point she needed to defend her US Open title, Sabalenka dropped her racket, fell to her knees and covered her face with her hands, trembling with tears and joy. It marked her fourth Grand Slam victory—a moment made all the more meaningful given she had fallen short at the season’s first three majors.
“This US Open felt different because I had to fight through so many things—not only on the court but inside myself,” the tennis player, the current world No 1 in women’s singles, who last month was voted the Women’s Tennis Association player of the year for the second year in a row, tells Tatler. “There were moments when my confidence was low, I was tired, and it felt like everything was going wrong, but I kept pushing. Winning after all that made the title feel more emotional—like proof that I can stay strong even when the season is really hard.”
Emotional and physical resilience have defined the 27-year-old Belarusian’s perspective on what it takes to stay at the top throughout her career. Her tennis journey began with a stroke of serendipity. When she was six, her late father, Sergey Sabalenka, drove past empty tennis courts and, on a whim, took her there. That moment sparked a lifelong passion and a dream she shared with her dad: becoming the world’s top-ranked player.
Sabalenka turned professional in 2012 on the ITF Women’s Circuit and won her first match two years later in Istanbul. After breaking into the world’s top 20 in 2018, she teamed up with Belgian player Elise Mertens to form a fierce doubles duo; they took their first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2019. Following their second major win at the 2021 Australian Open, Sabalenka decided to focus entirely on her singles ambitions. “It’s a bit more stressful [playing both singles and doubles] in the Grand Slams. I just want to focus on singles and manage my energy,” she said at the time.
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Above Sabalenka wears a Burberry jacket, skirt and a Fendi shirt. She is accessorised with Carnet Jewellery Desert Radiance white and golden diamond earrings in platinum and white gold, a Silhouette of the Sahara white, yellow and brown diamond necklace in platinum and white gold and a Storm Light white and grey diamond ring in platinum; her own watch, bracelet (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Sabalenka wears a Burberry jacket, skirt and a Fendi shirt. She is accessorised with Carnet Jewellery Desert Radiance white and golden diamond earrings in platinum and white gold, a Silhouette of the Sahara white, yellow and brown diamond necklace in platinum and white gold and a Storm Light white and grey diamond ring in platinum; her own watch, bracelet (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
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Despite her early success in doubles, Sabalenka’s push for a Grand Slam singles title soon ran up against a major obstacle: her serve. She struggled to get the ball across the net or to the intended spot, and consecutive misses, known as double faults, kept piling up. In 2022, she recorded 428 double faults, more than any other player on the WTA Tour that year. The problem became so severe that she questioned whether she could even continue in the sport, let alone aim for Grand Slam glory.
She worked with her team to overhaul the mechanics of her serve, improving everything from her fluidity to her weight transfer and the angles of her body. “That time was really tough, but what helped me was trusting my team and going back to the basics, even when it felt like I wasn’t making progress,” she says. “Mentally, I just decided I wouldn’t let this problem break me. I told myself to stay patient and fight through every bad day.” She was also extremely motivated by her father; he died in 2019, but had always expressed a hope she would win a couple of Grand Slams before she turned 25.
Her work paid off. In 2023, she took her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, at the age of 24. “I feel right now that I really needed those tough losses to understand myself a little bit better. It was like preparation for me,” she told reporters at the post-match news conference, her trophy placed on the table next to her. “I actually feel happy that I lost those matches, so right now I can be a different player and just a different Aryna.” That year, she also reached a career-high ranking of world No 1; the following year, she defended her Australian Open title and went on to win the US Open.
Above Sabalenka wears a Ferragamo blazer, skirt, a Nike top and Jimmy Choo sandals. She is accessorised with a Carnet Jewellery Fleur d’Or Blanc white and yellow diamond necklace in platinum, white gold and yellow gold, a Savannah Sunbeam white and brown diamond ring in white gold; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Sabalenka wears a Ferragamo blazer, skirt, a Nike top and Jimmy Choo sandals. She is accessorised with a Carnet Jewellery Fleur d’Or Blanc white and yellow diamond necklace in platinum, white gold and yellow gold, a Savannah Sunbeam white and brown diamond ring in white gold; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
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Sabalenka is known for wearing her heart on her sleeve—fiery in victory, unguarded in disappointment. “I play with passion. It’s a big part of my game and something I am proud of,” she says. But at times that emotion can overwhelm her. That was the case in the first three majors of 2025: she was knocked out of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon earlier than expected. During a break in Greece, she realised her mindset had been off: she had been expecting to achieve quick wins rather than earning them through hard-fought matches, a reality that sent her emotions spiralling when things went wrong.
Managing her inner world has required ongoing discipline. She spent five years working with a sports psychologist before taking ownership of her mental work, studying herself closely and learning to turn pressure into an ally rather than an adversary. Instead of focusing on the weight of entire tournaments, she says, “I just try to take things one day or match at a time, and focus on the task in front of me. That’s what really helps me play my best and stay focused.”
She reached the 2025 US Open final in September and faced American player Amanda Anisimova—the same opponent who had defeated her in the Wimbledon semi-finals. But this time, she had renewed clarity and a single objective: to control her emotions. She defended her US Open title in a thrilling 6–3, 7–6 (3) win, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win the tournament in back-to-back years. Afterwards, she told reporters she was immensely proud: “To bring the fight and be able to handle my emotions the way I did in this final, it means a lot.”
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Above Sabalenka wears a Tory Burch top, a Burberry skirt and Fendi sandals. She is accessorised with Carnet Jewellery Desert Radiance white and golden diamond earrings in platinum and white gold and a Storm Light white and grey diamond ring in platinum; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Above Sabalenka wears a Tory Burch top and a Burberry skirt. She is accessorised with Carnet Jewellery Desert Radiance white and golden diamond earrings in platinum and white gold (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Sabalenka wears a Tory Burch top, a Burberry skirt and Fendi sandals. She is accessorised with Carnet Jewellery Desert Radiance white and golden diamond earrings in platinum and white gold and a Storm Light white and grey diamond ring in platinum; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
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On the court, Sabalenka is one of the most powerful hitters in women’s tennis, with an average forehand speed of 129 km/h. True to her nickname, Tiger—a nod to the tattoo on her left forearm as well as her spirit—she is explosive, aggressive and fearless. Off the court, she embraces a very different rhythm. “I love to have fun and let loose and just enjoy my life,” she says.
Her YouTube channel, where she documents life on tour through a series called Aryna’s Arena, takes followers behind the scenes, from her morning beauty routine to her comfort food rituals and the hectic week before the US Open, when she juggled practice with sponsorship obligations. “I wanted to show my fans a more playful and fun side of me that they don’t always see when I am playing in tournaments,” she says. “I was also excited for people to see more from my team and me. We spend so much time together and have a lot of fun.”
These videos also reveal a vulnerable side rarely visible through her tough exterior. In one episode released after Wimbledon last year, she spoke candidly about the emotional highs and lows she feels when packing her suitcase before leaving the host city after a loss: “[When] you win, you’re the happiest person you can be ... When you lose, [life] is going to be tough to enjoy. I’m going to be there on the beach, and I’m going to be thinking, ‘It’s so beautiful, but I lose. I’m just a loser. I hate myself.’”
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Above Sabalenka wears a Moncler jacket, skirt, a Fendi shirt and Nike trainers. She is accessorised with a Hearts On Fire diamond trio band, an elongated diamond flip ring and a diamond flip ring, all in 18k rose gold, and a diamond link bracelet in yellow gold, all from the Inside/Out collection; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Sabalenka wears a Moncler jacket, skirt, a Fendi shirt and Nike trainers. She is accessorised with a Hearts On Fire diamond trio band, an elongated diamond flip ring and a diamond flip ring, all in 18k rose gold, and a diamond link bracelet in yellow gold, all from the Inside/Out collection; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
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Her Instagram account, which has 3.8 million followers, offers glimpses of her playful, vibrant personality as well as updates on her tennis career. During downtime, she’s shared photos of holidays in the Maldives with her boyfriend, Greek Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis; double dates with 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic; and being at a Coldplay concert with friends. Like many in her generation, she loves making short videos with viral music, transitions and dance trends on TikTok. “I’ve learnt that people connect most when you’re just being yourself. I try to stay true to who I am online, and I think that’s why fans respond,” she says. “I love making fun videos in my free time, especially when I’m not playing tournaments—it’s a way to show my real personality.”
Yet even as she reveals her personality online, she is mindful of boundaries. “I’ve realised it’s important to keep some things private,” she says. “Setting boundaries doesn’t make you less authentic—it just helps you protect your energy. I share what feels natural and keep the rest for myself, and that balance lets me connect with fans in a genuine way.”
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Setting boundaries doesn’t make you less authentic—it just helps you protect your energy. I share what feels natural
She is, however, always happy to share how much fashion plays a part in her life; she believes that looking good helps her feel confident and perform better. On court, she has a long-standing partnership with Nike, which makes her custom footwear featuring her signature tiger motif. She also expresses her style through small touches, such as jewellery, watches, nail polish and even hair ties. As a regular on editorial shoots and an occasional visitor to red carpets, she surprises fans with high-fashion moments—recent notable outfits include a red full-length bodycon dress, and a black sheer top with an oversized blazer—styled with voluminous waves or a sleek, slicked-back bun.
“Being a pro athlete, my style off the court is all about strength and confidence,” she says. “While you can often find me wearing Nike and more sporty, comfortable looks, I also love dressing up and showing my bold, feminine side. It’s all about balancing power and comfort with a touch of glam.” Her favourite pieces are those that feel “super glam and high fashion”, because that’s when she feels her strongest. And if she ever lived a second life as a fashion designer, she says, her aesthetic would be defined by power, confidence and uniqueness.
Above Sabalenka wears a Moncler jacket, skirt and a Fendi shirt, sandals. She is accessorised with Hearts On Fire diamond link earrings, a diamond trio band, an elongated diamond flip ring, a diamond flip ring and a diamond link bracelet, all in 18k rose gold, all from the Inside/Out collection; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
Sabalenka wears a Moncler jacket, skirt and a Fendi shirt, sandals. She is accessorised with Hearts On Fire diamond link earrings, a diamond trio band, an elongated diamond flip ring, a diamond flip ring and a diamond link bracelet, all in 18k rose gold, all from the Inside/Out collection; her own watch (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong/Issac Lam)
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As one of the highest-earning active tennis players— she’s made more than US$45 million in career prize money, including US$15 million from last season alone—Sabalenka is also building a life beyond the sport through investments. “It’s really important to me to invest in brands that I truly believe in, and I also want to build my own personal business in a way that is sustainable far beyond my on-court career,” she says. “I trust my team to help bring me meaningful investment opportunities that align with my personal health and wellness values.” She has backed US wellness brands Beekeeper’s Naturals and Olipop, and in June last year, she also invested in and became the global ambassador for the supplement brand IM8, after finding its products led to improved focus and faster recovery.
As the new year begins, Sabalenka is continuing to chase her dream with five areas of focus: goals, consistency, balance, family and fashion. Committed to self-improvement, training persistently and fuelled by moments of joy—especially time with her family and her love of style—she continues to evolve and push boundaries, on and off the court, with the heart of a tiger.
Looking back on her decade-long career, Sabalenka acknowledges the magnitude of the sacrifices she has made; but she is at peace with that. “I had to give up a lot of time with my family and a normal life,” she says. “The hardest part is always being far from people I love and dealing with the pressure that never really stops. But even with these sacrifices, I still feel it’s worth it— because this is my biggest dream.”
The first three paragraphs of this story were added to update it after the Battle of the Sexes and are not part of the writer’s original article.
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Credits
Creative Direction: Jacky Tam
Photography: Issac Lam
Styling: Jacky Tam
Hair: Jean Tong
Make-Up: Evelyn Ho
Production: Kat Yeung
Photography Assistant: Jason Li, Hsiao, Feilung, Riki Chan
Stylist's Assistant: Priscilla Ng, Mia Cheung
Location: The Peninsula Hong Kong
Based in Hong Kong, editor Yoyo Chow covers the people and ideas redefining Asia’s future—from cutting-edge innovation and AI to bold moves in sustainability and diversity. She also drives content for Tatler Gen.T in Hong Kong, a platform and community spotlighting the region’s next generation of startup founders, creatives and changemakers.
Before that, she was a video journalist producing content for international TV and digital platforms, including Reuters and South China Morning Post. If you have a powerful story to share, she’s all ears. Send press materials, event invites and any inquiries to yoyo.chow@tatlerasia.com.
