1. Sabalenka’s Hometown is Minsk, Belarus
Aryna Sabalenka was born and raised in Minsk, the capital and largest city of Belarus. She started playing tennis at a young age and quickly made a name for herself in the Belarusian tennis scene.
2. Sabalenka’s Coach is Dmitry Tursunov
Dmitry Tursunov, a former Russian professional tennis player, has been coaching Sabalenka since 2019. Tursunov, who reached a career-high ATP ranking of 20 in 2007, has been credited with helping Sabalenka improve her game and reach new heights in her career.
3. Sabalenka’s Best Result at a Grand Slam is Reaching the Quarterfinals
Sabalenka’s best result at a Grand Slam tournament came at the 2018 US Open, where she reached the quarterfinals. She defeated former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in the fourth round before losing to eventual champion Naomi Osaka.
4. Sabalenka’s Biggest Career Title is the WTA Elite Trophy
Sabalenka’s biggest career title came in 2019 when she won the WTA Elite Trophy, a tournament featuring the top players who did not qualify for the WTA Finals. She defeated Elina Svitolina in the final, winning in straight sets.
5. Sabalenka’s Favorite Surface is Hard Court
Sabalenka’s favorite surface is hard court, on which she has had the most success in her career. She has won three WTA titles on hard court, including the WTA Elite Trophy, and reached the quarterfinals of the US Open in 2018.
6. Sabalenka’s Favorite Shot is the Forehand
Sabalenka’s favorite shot is her forehand, which is widely considered one of the most powerful in the women’s game. She is known for her aggressive play style and her ability to hit winners from anywhere on the court.
7. Sabalenka’s Hobbies Include Playing Piano and Video Games
Outside of tennis, Sabalenka enjoys playing piano and video games. She began playing piano at a young age and has said that playing music helps her relax and focus on the court.
8. Sabalenka’s First Professional Tournament was in 2016
Sabalenka made her professional debut in 2016, competing in ITF tournaments. She made her WTA debut at the 2016 Moscow River Cup and reached her first WTA final in 2017 at the New Haven Open.
9. Sabalenka’s Biggest Rival on Tour is Victoria Azarenka
Sabalenka’s biggest rival on tour is fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, with whom she has had a number of highly-anticipated matches. Both players have had success on the WTA tour, and their head-to-head record is tied at 3-3.
10. Sabalenka’s Career-High Ranking is World No. 11
As of September 2021, Sabalenka’s career-high ranking is World No. 11, which she achieved in September 2021. With her powerful game and aggressive playing style, she is considered a rising star in the world of women’s tennis.