“The pain is still the same,” Aryna Sabalenka pens down an emotional note for her late father’s birthday
Aryna Sabalenka recently became the World No. 1 in WTA rankings after her terrific performance in the 2023 US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka crying during her US Open final On court interview, Aryna with her father (Sources: Talksport, IMAGO)
Belarusian tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, who recently became the World No. 1 in WTA rankings, has paid tribute to her late father Sergey Sabalenka through Instagram today, as it would have been his 47th birthday if he were alive. Sergey Sabalenka was a Belarusian ice hockey player who passed away at the age of 43, four years ago.
Aryna Sabalenka was obviously massively connected to her father and his demise had caused her great sorrow. It was her father who had once taken her to a tennis court when she was very young. That ultimately led to her interest in the sport. Thus, the credit for her becoming a world-class tennis player largely goes to him.
“It would be your 47th birthday, dad. Miss you so much… time goes by, but the pain is still the same. I miss you, papa,” the 25-year-old wrote on her Instagram story, posting a picture of her and her father. (translated from Belarusian).
Aryna Sabalenka recently became the World No. 1 in the WTA rankings. Despite her tragic loss against Coco Gauff in the US Open 2023 final, she has already fulfilled her father’s wish by becoming the World No. 1 for the first time in her career. “I’m just trying to fight because my dad wanted me to be No. 1. I’m doing it for him, so that’s what’s helping me to be strong right now,” Sabalenka said.
Aryna Sabalenka becomes 8th entrant in elite list post her US Open performance
Aryna Sabalenka has become the 8th Women’s tennis player to become World No. 1 in both Singles and doubles rankings. Before her, this amazing feat was already made possible by Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, the Williams sisters, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and Kim Clijsters. Former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek’s early exit from the tournament, along with Aryna’s brilliant display, made this possible.
However, this would do little to console her for her defeat in the final against Coco Gauff. The Belarusian had won her first set but Coco Gauff made a brilliant comeback in the last two sets to deny Sabalenka the second Grand Slam of her career. Thus, the Belarusian’s search for a second Grand Slam continues and she will look to win it in the upcoming Australian Open next season.
In case you missed it:
- Iga Swiatek withdraws from WTA Guadalajara Open due to scheduling congestion, confirms her next event following US Open heartbreak
- Roger Federer admits to making time to coach his kids as they have picked up the love for the sport as their father
Rishab Dutta
(794 Articles Published)