Aryna Sabalenka: A Dual Journey
Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is currently enjoying a remarkable phase in her career, yet she also finds herself reflecting on her personal and professional growth. In a recent in-depth interview with Esquire magazine as part of its “Mavericks of Sports” edition, the 27-year-old world number one discussed her evolving mindset, her past errors, and her visions for the future, highlighting the dual aspects of her identity that she manages both on and off the court.
“I’m very aggressive and emotional during matches, which is crucial for my performance. In contrast, my personality off the court is quite different,” Sabalenka revealed.
She expressed her satisfaction with the balance she has achieved between these two sides of herself.
Recent Achievements and Challenges
The timing of her interview is noteworthy, as Sabalenka’s track record has been exceptional; she recently clinched victories at both the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open in 2026, making her only the fifth woman to accomplish the coveted Sunshine Double. As she entered April, her seasonal win-loss record stood at an impressive 23 wins against just 1 loss, the only blemish being in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina. Despite these accolades, Sabalenka opened up about the personal struggles that have accompanied her rise.
“There was a time when I contemplated quitting the sport,” she admitted, recalling the serve issues that plagued her in 2022, leading to instances of double faults. “I had moments when I questioned if all of this was a sign for me to walk away from tennis.”
Ultimately, she chose to persevere through these challenges and has emerged with a new understanding of managing pressure, stating,
“Pressure is power,”
in a Wilson advertisement that accompanied her Esquire interview.
Coping with Defeats and Personal Growth
One of the most poignant topics discussed was Sabalenka’s journey in coping with defeats. Following her disappointing loss to Coco Gauff in the 2025 Roland Garros final, she faced criticism for her press conference behavior. Upon reflection, she noted,
“I realized I need to give myself time after matches before facing the press following a loss. In that heated moment, my thoughts were scattered, and later I reassessed and came to different conclusions.”
Following the incident, Sabalenka and Gauff reconciled, even creating joint content on social media.
Feeling regretful about past decisions, Sabalenka shared,
“Everyone has regrets; they shape us into better individuals. It’s essential to acknowledge that mistakes are part of growth.”
The conversation also touched on her personal life, particularly her grief from losing her father in 2019, about which she shared,
“It’s vital to express your emotions when grieving; bottling them up only leads to inner destruction.”
Looking Ahead
When discussing her future beyond tennis, Sabalenka expressed interest in potentially transitioning to boxing or modeling, thanks to her physical presence. She’s aware that retirement will be challenging for her:
“I can imagine having a hard time stepping away from this sport; I might be that athlete who lingered well into old age, reluctant to let go.”
As she considers building a family in the next five to seven years while potentially returning to competitive tennis, Sabalenka insisted that she wouldn’t want to return unless she could perform at her usual high standards.
Exploring new sports, she mentioned pickleball as a possibility for after her professional tennis career, jokingly engaging with a pro player about becoming partners.
Off the court, Sabalenka is actively carving out her brand in the realms of fashion and business, stating,
“The duration of a sports career is limited, so it’s essential to cultivate interests outside your sport.”
Injury and Future Competitions
Unfortunately, Sabalenka had to withdraw from the Stuttgart Open due to an unspecified injury, temporarily bringing her notable 23-match winning streak to an end. However, she is expected to reappear on the court at the Madrid Open later in April.
