Aryna Sabalenka is more than just one of the fiercest competitors in women’s tennis. Behind the power-packed serves, fiery groundstrokes, and relentless drive lies a human story of balance, grief, and resilience. Fresh off winning her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2025 US Open, Sabalenka gave fans a rare look into her personal journey during a candid conversation on The Jay Shetty Podcast.
Sabalenka’s latest victory in New York, where she defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final, solidified her status as the current queen of women’s tennis. But while her dominance on court is undeniable, she admits there’s much more to her than the aggressive, “crazy” image many see during matches.
“On the court, I’m really aggressive, really focused, just chasing my dreams. But off the court, I love to enjoy life. When you feel balanced, you can go out there, fight, and be fully focused,” she shared.
In one of the most emotional parts of the podcast, Sabalenka opened up about losing her father unexpectedly at the age of 21. The tragedy could have derailed her career, but instead, she transformed her grief into fuel.
“I hope I’m not going to start crying… but it was unexpected. It just happened. We had similar personalities and really understood each other,” she said. “Instead of getting depressed, I decided to take it as him being here with me in my heart, in my memory. Thanks to him I feel like the champion I am today.”
Her father’s influence continues to guide her, not only in tennis but in life. She sees her victories as part of a larger mission to honor the family name and keep his memory alive.
Sabalenka also admitted she struggles to rewatch some of her old finals, particularly those where her emotions got the better of her. Yet, she emphasized that her fiery passion is part of who she is — and balancing that intensity with joy and gratitude off the court is what keeps her grounded.
Her words reveal a refreshing duality: an athlete who thrives on intensity in competition but knows the importance of stepping back, laughing, and living fully when the match is over.
With four Grand Slam titles to her name and a growing reputation as one of the sport’s most compelling personalities, Sabalenka is shaping her own legacy. She’s not only rewriting WTA record books but also showing fans the human side of greatness the side that knows loss, embraces joy, and keeps striving for balance.
As she continues to chase history, Aryna Sabalenka reminds the world that champions aren’t just made of victories. They’re forged in moments of pain, resilience, and the courage to keep going.
