Aryna Sabalenka Playfully Hints at Marrying Boyfriend Georgios Frangulis After Brisbane Win: “Hopefully I Can Call You Something Else”
Aryna Sabalenka won her first title of the season at the Brisbane International, but Marta Kostyuk still hasn't yet won a title since the 2023 ATX Open.
Aryna Sabalenka hinted at marrying Georgios Frangulis (Image via Instagram/Aryna Sabalenka, X/The Tennis Letter)
Aryna Sabalenka registered her second consecutive victory at the Brisbane International after going past Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 on January 11 in what was also her third consecutive final in the tournament. It was the World No.1’s sixth consecutive victory over the Ukrainian ace.
The trophy ceremony overshadowed Sabalenka’s win as Kostyuk found herself at the receiving end of criticism from fans because she did not even mention the Belarusian in her runner-up speech, let alone congratulate her. But the first thing that the four-time Grand Slam singles champion did was congratulate Kostyuk for her run to the final during her winner’s speech.
Sabalenka had the brightest of smiles when she thanked her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, who also smiled from ear to ear when she playfully expressed her wish to marry him.
Thank you to my boyfriend. Hopefully, soon I can call you something else.
Aryna Sabalenka said
Sabalenka started dating Frangulis in 2024 through her sponsorship deal with acai brand Oakberry, co-founded by the Brazilian entrepreneur. The tennis ace also visited Brazil to meet his family and friends, and later his mom, Ana Helena Puccetti, shared adorable pictures of their time together.
Aryna Sabalenka after winning back to back Brisbane titles:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 11, 2026
“Thank you to my boyfriend… hopefully soon I can call you something else” 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/VCLdkJXLBg
Aryna Sabalenka aims for further improvement after Brisbane win
Top players like Aryna Sabalenka always push themselves outside of their comfort zone and work toward improvement because work never stops. Sabalenka knows she will have to play even better tennis upon arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open, which starts on January 18.

No, for sure, there are so many things I can improve at, and that’s the beauty of sport. There is always that little percent for little room for improvement. I definitely feel really great about my game, about my tennis, but I also know that there is a lot of things to improve and to work on. That’s what we’re gonna focus on next week.
Aryna Sabalenka said after her Brisbane International win
Sabalenka would’ve completed the three-peat at the Australian Open had she won it last year by defeating Madison Keys. She will be contesting for her second consecutive hard-court Major, as last year she defended her US Open title by beating Amanda Anisimova.
Apart from the New York and Melbourne Majors, the 27-year-old also made the final of the French Open, losing the match to Coco Gauff. Sabalenka won four titles from nine finals last year.
Aryna Sabalenka on Marta Kostyuk’s handshake snub
Kostyuk refrained from shaking hands with Sabalenka because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. She also reportedly did not stand for photographs alongside Sabalenka. But the latter, during the press conference, said she had no problems with not shaking hands.

Well, it’s their position. It’s their position. What can I do? I don’t mind that. I don’t care about that. When I go into the match, it’s all about tennis and sport. When I go out there, I think about my tennis and the things I have to do to get the win. Doesn’t matter if it’s Marta Kostyuk or Jessica Pegula there. I still go out there, and I still try my best, and I’ll still fight for the trophy. I have nothing to prove. I go there, and I just compete as an athlete.
Aryna Sabalenka said
Kostyuk made a controversial statement regarding the dominance of Sabalenka as well as Iga Swiatek last year. She claimed Sabalenka and Swiatek perform better because they have higher testosterone levels than the rest.
Sabalenka, during her interview with Piers Morgan before the Battle of the Sexes against Nick Kyrgios, said Kostyuk was just making excuses. The 23-year-old is a winner of one WTA singles title, which she won at the 2023 ATX Open.
Gouri Das
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