Sabalenka’s Glam Look Goes Viral
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Minsk
- Apr 20, 2026
- 97
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is showing a striking contrast between her fierce on-court persona and a softer, introspective side off it—something she recently highlighted in her feature with Esquire.
Known for her raw power and vocal intensity during matches, Sabalenka described herself as having a “dual personality.” On the court, she channels aggression and passion—key components of her high-risk, high-reward baseline game. Off the court, however, she identifies as calm, affectionate, and peace-seeking.
Her comments about alternative career paths—boxing or even plus-size modeling—underscore a consistent theme: she gravitates toward high-energy, expressive outlets. This aligns with her playing style, which relies heavily on explosive movement and emotional release.
A significant driver behind her mindset is her late father, Sergei Sabalenka, a former professional hockey player. His sudden passing in 2019 from meningitis had a profound psychological impact. Sabalenka credits tennis as a stabilizing force during that period, effectively functioning as both structure and emotional refuge.
She also touched on a lesser-known struggle—her 2022 serving issues, often referred to in tennis analysis as a “yips”-like breakdown in motor execution. For a top-level player, losing a fundamental skill like the serve can be destabilizing. Sabalenka admitted she nearly quit, but reframed the episode as a resilience-building phase. It enhanced her tactical confidence, allowing her to compete and win even when a core component of her game falters.
Her perspective on emotional regulation is equally pragmatic: while immersing oneself in work helps manage grief, she emphasized that crying and emotional release are essential. This balanced coping mechanism—discipline paired with vulnerability—offers insight into how elite athletes sustain performance under psychological strain.
In essence, Sabalenka’s narrative right now isn’t just about dominance on the court—it’s about psychological adaptability, identity beyond sport, and the disciplined management of intensity.