Aryna Sabalenka’s parents, Sergey Sabalenka and Yulia “Julia” Sabalenka can easily be regarded as the rock upon which the Belarusian tennis player build herself and her career. Her father, Sergey Sabalenka was a hockey player who exposed the 26–year-old Aryna to tennis when she was only 6 years old. He further pushed Aryna when needed, cheered her even when the world could not see, and motivated her to work towards becoming the number one in the world. Well, she did become number 2 (in 2021 and 2023) but it was after Sergey’s death in 2019.
The tennis player’s mother is rather keeping a more private life but one cannot deny that she may have impacted her daughter’s life. In any case, she has also reached the spotlight due to Aryna’s career as a professional tennis player with a Grand Slams Australian Open win in 2023 (Singles). She also won the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open (both Doubles with Elise Mertens).
Aryna Sabalenka’s Father Had a Career in Hockey, a Game That Has Its Roots In Africa
Sergey Sabalenka was a Belarusian athlete and celebrity father. He played hockey – a game that has its roots in Egypt (4,000 years ago) and Ethiopia (around 1,000 BC). The sport which in modern times emerged in England fast spread and became popular in different parts of the world, including Belarus – where Aryna’s father fell in love with the game and played it.
His career seemed to be going well until it was shattered when he was about 19 years old. This was caused by a car accident. Yet, he continued to play as an amateur!
There is More About Sergey Sabalenka, How He Had Aryna in His Early 20s and Led Her to Tennis
Aryna was born to her parents on 5 May 1998 in the largest city in Belarus, Minsk. At the time, Sergey was in his early 20s (about 21 or 22).
At about the time Aryna was 6, her father was driving with her and they stopped at a court. She enjoyed it there and looked forward to playing further – of course with the help of both parents.
Sergey was there to encourage his daughter and saw her train at the National Tennis Academy in Minsk when it opened in 2014.
Good for him, he watched her become a fast-rising star. She represented Belarus at the Junior Fed Cup and in 2016, she made her senior Fed Cuo debut for her career. Sergey continued to watch his daughter break wall after wall.
Aryna’s Father Died the Same Year the Tennis Star Won a US Open
At the age of 43, Sergey Sabalenka died in November 2019. He had spent a few days in the hospital prior to that.
At the time Aryna was the reigning Wuhan champion.
Despite the toll that her father’s demise may have taken on her, she recalled how he had always wanted her to be the best. The same year, she went ahead to defend her Wuhan title.
Furthermore, she won the Grand Slam tournament US Open (Doubles) with Elise Mertens with a 7-5, 7-5 score against Victoria Azarenka and Australia Ashleigh Barty.
See Also: Jelena Djokovic’s Parents: Meet Miomir Ristić And Vera Ristić
Now That We Know About Aryna’s Father, Let’s Take a Look at Her Mother, Yulia Sabalenka
She Supports Her Daughter But refused to Talk to Aryna Over a Tattoo that Won Her an Alias
Yulia Sabalenka, also known as Julia is the mother of Aryna and also a Belarius who enjoys a considerably quiet life but is supportive of her daughter’s career.
One of the things that brought attention to Yulia was her daughter’s tattoo of a Tiger. The tattoo seems to have drawn attention and Aryna even got the nickname “The Tiger”. Yet, her parents were not happy about it and Yulia did not speak to her daughter for about a week.
Regardless, the tennis player has spoken about her tattoo and it only symbolizes her resilience and not being ready to quit.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Parents Have Another Child
The 2023 Australian Open champion is not the only child of her parents. They have another child, a daughter named Tonechka “Tonya” Sabalenka. She is the youngest of the family.
Tonya lives a private life and not much is known about her. Regardless, she won attention in April 2023 when her tennis player sister honored her on camera after winning the third round of the 2023 Milan Open against Camila Osorio.
