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More on Sabalenka Aryna Sabalenka, born in Minsk, Belarus, had an unexpected introduction to tennis when her father, a former ice hockey player, stumbled upon tennis courts while driving her somewhere. Intrigued by the sport, Aryna started playing and quickly discovered her passion for it. She began her formal training at the National Tennis Academy in Minsk when it opened in 2014. In 2013, at the age of 15, she won her first ITF title in doubles and began making strides in her singles career. Despite skipping higher-level junior tournaments, she managed to excel in low-level professional events, laying the foundation for her future success. Sabalenka’s rapid ascent in professional tennis was remarkable due to her aggressive style of play and powerful serve. By 2019, she rose in tennis ranks, securing her place among the elite with multiple WTA titles and top 10 rankings in singles and doubles. Partnering with Elise Mertens, she clinched two major doubles titles. In 2023, Sabalenka soared higher, winning her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, solidifying her status as a top player. She defended her title in 2024, winning the Australian Open without dropping a set, a feat last achieved by Azarenka in 2013. Beyond tennis, Sabalenka has sponsorships with Nike and Wilson, while her vocal political stance, evidenced by criticisms of the Belarusian government and expressions of support for Ukrainian citizens during the Russian invasion. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Aryna Sabalenka via Instagram.