Aryna Sabalenka was only 21 when her tennis world changed forever, but the heartbreak that followed became the motivation behind her rise to the top | International Sports News
Aryna Sabalenka was only 21 when she lost her father, Sergey, in November 2019. He had introduced her to tennis as a child and wanted to see her become world No. 1. At the time, Sabalenka was already a rising star, but his sudden death changed the way she looked at tennis and life. She had to carry her grief while continuing the career her father had helped begin.
How Aryna Sabalenka’s father’s death changed her tennis journey
Sabalenka’s connection with tennis began with her father. According to the WTA, Sergey was the reason she picked up a racket at six after the two passed some empty tennis courts while driving. He had been an ice hockey player, and he encouraged his daughter to find her own path in sport.His death came after a strong 2019 season for Sabalenka. She had won titles in Shenzhen, Wuhan and Zhuhai, but the joy of finishing the year well quickly gave way to grief.The start of 2020 was especially hard. Sabalenka told the WTA that she did not want to leave her family during the pre-season because they were going through such a difficult time. She still had to return to the tour, even though she did not feel excited about playing.There was one thought that helped her keep going. Her father wanted her to become No. 1.“I’m just trying to fight because my dad wanted me to be No.1,” Sabalenka told reporters in Adelaide in January 2020. “I’m doing it for him so that’s what is helping me to be strong right now.”That goal became personal in a way it had never been before. Years later, when Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam at the 2023 Australian Open, she was finally able to hold the trophy her father had never seen her win.
How Aryna Sabalenka overcame her serve problems and emotional struggles
The loss of her father was followed by another kind of battle. Sabalenka had a powerful game, but her serve and emotions often caused problems. In 2020, she hit 145 double faults, the second-highest total on the WTA Tour that season, according to official WTA statistics.She knew something had to change.Sabalenka worked with a psychologist and biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan as she tried to make her serve more reliable and become calmer during matches. Reuters later reported that this work helped her move from a player who could become frustrated on court to one who was much better at handling pressure.The change did not happen overnight. She lost major matches, dealt with criticism and had to learn how to stay with her game when things were going badly.Then came the breakthrough. At the 2023 Australian Open, Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam singles title. She beat Elena Rybakina in the final after losing the opening set, completing a comeback that reflected how much her game and mindset had changed.She has continued to build on that success. Sabalenka won the Australian Open again in 2024 and then defended her US Open title in 2025. The WTA lists her as a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and world No. 1.Her rise is not simply the story of a powerful tennis player collecting trophies. It is also about a daughter who lost the person who first put a tennis racket in her hand, then had to find a way to keep playing while carrying that loss.Sergey Sabalenka never saw his daughter become world No. 1 or win her first Grand Slam. But the dream he shared with her became part of the reason she kept pushing forward.
