Aryna Sabalenka started playing tennis when her father unknowingly took his daughter to the court. She was only six years old, and her journey started back then. Sabalenka’s father, Sergey Sabalenka, was a former ice hockey player and introduced her to tennis. Sergey had passed away in November 2019 due to health complications. He was only 43 years old, and Sabalenka shared a note on social about her dad.
Sergey’s birthday falls on September 13, and Sabalenka posted a story on Instagram with a picture of them both. Sabalenka wrote, “Time goes by, but the pain is still the same! I miss you papa. It would have been your 47th birthday.” The picture was taken in 2017, as said in the caption. Sergey was Sabalenka’s biggest supporter from the start of her career.
Sabalenka had also shared posts on Instagram about her father after winning the Australian Open this year. The Belarusian was missing his support when she lifted the trophy at Melbourne. Her father could not be there to see her win a grand slam title. Sabalenka is playing through the pain and knows her father will be proud of her accomplishments.
Aryna Sabalenka joins elite list after change in rankings
The rankings in the women’s draw saw a slight shift after the US Open. Sabalenka finally achieved her goal of becoming the top-ranked player. It was also her father’s dream to see Sabalenka reach this position. Sabalenka became the eighth player on the WTA tour to have attained the top ranking in both singles and doubles. She reached the No.1 ranking in doubles in 2021 after winning the Australian Open with Elise Mertens.
By reaching the top spot in the singles this year, she joins an elite list of players to have made it in both categories. Sabalenka is the second active player on the tour to have achieved this feat after Venus Williams. Martina Navratilova was the first to have been ranked No.1 in singles and doubles on the WTA tour. It has been long since any player has achieved this feat in the sport.
1 – Aryna Sabalenka is the eighth World No.1 in the WTA Rankings in both Singles and Doubles after Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Williams sisters, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters. Welcome!@WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/1zTkleugp2
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 11, 2023
Sabalenka will look to continue her grand slam form in the next season as she featured in all the semifinals this year. It was the world No.1 and a grand slam in 2023. In the 2024 season, she will look to take the title at the French Open or Wimbledon.
Discussion about this post