History of Aryna Sabalenka in Timeline
"Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player who has held the top ranking in both singles and doubles. She has secured victory in two Grand Slam singles tournaments, the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, in addition to two Grand Slam doubles titles. Over her career, she has amassed 21 titles, with 15 in singles and six in doubles."
1975: Chris Evert's Reign Begins
Chris Evert's dominant run as world No. 1 in women's tennis begins in 1975.
1976: Evonne Goolagong's Brief Stint at the Top
Evonne Goolagong enjoys a short but impactful reign as world No. 1 in women's tennis in 1976.
1978: Martina Navratilova's Era Begins
Martina Navratilova's legendary reign as world No. 1 in women's tennis commences in 1978.
1980: Tracy Austin Makes Her Mark
Tracy Austin emerges as a force in women's tennis, reaching the top spot in the rankings in 1980.
1985: Chris Evert Extends Her Dominance
Chris Evert's exceptional career continues as she extends her time at the pinnacle of women's tennis in 1985.
1987: Steffi Graf's Rise to Prominence
Steffi Graf's journey to becoming an icon of the sport starts in 1987 as she ascends to the world No. 1 ranking.
1991: Monica Seles Bursts onto the Scene
Monica Seles's powerful game takes the tennis world by storm as she reaches the world No. 1 ranking in 1991.
1995: Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Claims the Top Spot
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario's all-court prowess earns her the world No. 1 ranking in women's tennis in 1995.
1996: Monica Seles's Continued Success
Monica Seles continues to showcase her exceptional talent, maintaining a strong presence at the top of women's tennis in 1996.
1997: Martina Hingis Ushers in a New Era
Martina Hingis's strategic brilliance and exceptional court sense propel her to the top of women's tennis in 1997.
May 1998: Birth of Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka was born in May 1998 in Minsk, Belarus.
1998: Wimbledon
In 1998 Natasha Zvereva became the first Belarusian woman to reach Wimbledon's last four.
1998: Lindsay Davenport's Power Game Dominates
Lindsay Davenport's powerful game and aggressive style earn her the world No. 1 ranking in 1998.
1999: Roland Garros
Steffi Graf became the first woman to defeat the top 3 players in the 1999 Roland Garros tournament.
2001: Jennifer Capriati's Triumphant Comeback
Jennifer Capriati completes an inspiring comeback, reaching the pinnacle of women's tennis in 2001.
2002: Miami Open
Serena Williams became the second woman to defeat the top 3 players at the 2002 Miami Open.
2002: The Williams Sisters Era Begins
The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, begin their reign of dominance in women's tennis, with both achieving the world No. 1 ranking in 2002.
2003: Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin Rise to Prominence
Belgian tennis stars Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin emerge as major forces, both attaining the world No. 1 ranking in 2003.
2004: Amélie Mauresmo's All-Court Prowess Shines
Amélie Mauresmo's elegant style and all-court skills earn her recognition as world No. 1 in 2004.
2005: Maria Sharapova's Breakthrough
Maria Sharapova's powerful groundstrokes and on-court presence propel her to the top of women's tennis in 2005.
2006: Lindsay Davenport's Continued Excellence
Lindsay Davenport continues to be a dominant force, reaffirming her status as one of the best in women's tennis in 2006.
2008: Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Janković Reach the Summit
Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Janković, both known for their competitive spirit, achieve the world No. 1 ranking in 2008.
2008: WTA Finals
Venus Williams became the third woman to defeat the top 3 players at the 2008 CTA finals.
2009: Dinara Safina and Jelena Janković's Consistent Performances
Dinara Safina and Jelena Janković continue to showcase their skills and determination, maintaining their presence at the top of women's tennis in 2009.
2010: Caroline Wozniacki's Consistency Pays Off
Caroline Wozniacki's consistent performances and fighting spirit earn her the world No. 1 ranking in 2010.
2011: Wimbledon
Victoria Azarenka became the second Belarusian woman to reach Wimbledon's last four in 2011.
2011: Kim Clijsters's Second Stint at the Top
Kim Clijsters makes a remarkable return to the top of women's tennis, demonstrating her resilience and determination in 2011.
2012: Sabalenka Starts on ITF Women's Circuit
Aryna Sabalenka began her journey on the ITF Women's Circuit in 2012, participating in her first tournament in Minsk.
2012: Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova's Dominance
Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova showcase their exceptional skills and determination, battling for supremacy in women's tennis in 2012.
2012: Wimbledon
Victoria Azarenka reached Wimbledon's last four for the second time in 2012.
2013: Sabalenka's Debut on ITF Junior Circuit and First Doubles Title
Aryna Sabalenka made her debut on the ITF Junior Circuit at the Grade-4 Tallink Cup in Estonia in 2013. She also secured her first ITF doubles title the same year at the Grade-5 Alatan Tour Cup in Belarus, partnering with Vera Lapko.
2013: Australian Open
The last time a woman defended her Australian Open title was in 2013 by Azarenka.
2013: Victoria Azarenka's Continued Success
Victoria Azarenka continues to be a force to be reckoned with, solidifying her place among the top players in women's tennis in 2013.
2014: Sabalenka's Success at Grade 4 Events and First Singles Title
Aryna Sabalenka excelled in Grade 4 events in 2014, reaching her first singles final at the Estonian Junior Open and winning her first singles title at the MTV Total Junior Cup in Finland. She also defended her Alatan Tour Cup doubles title with Nika Shytkouskaya and won the singles title.
2014: Junior Fed Cup Representation
Aryna Sabalenka represented Belarus at the Junior Fed Cup in 2014, where the team finished in sixth place.
2014: First Professional Win
Aryna Sabalenka secured her first professional victory at a tournament in Istanbul in 2014.
2014: Sabalenka Begins Training at National Tennis Academy
Aryna Sabalenka started training at the National Tennis Academy in Minsk when it was established in 2014.
2015: Sabalenka's Participation in European Junior Championships
Aryna Sabalenka participated in her highest-level junior tournament, the Grade B1 European Junior Championships, in 2015, where she lost in the second round to top seed Markéta Vondroušová.
2015: Focus Shift to Professional Events
In 2015, the Belarusian Tennis Federation encouraged Aryna Sabalenka to prioritize low-level professional tournaments over junior events to gain experience.
April 2016: Senior Fed Cup Debut for Belarus
In April 2016, Aryna Sabalenka made her debut for the Belarusian Fed Cup team, playing in a doubles match against Russia. Though Sabalenka's match was a loss, Belarus ultimately won the tie and qualified for the World Group for the first time in their history.
2016: All Four Grand Slams
In 2016, Serena Williams became the last player to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events in one year, before Aryna Sabalenka achieved the feat.
2016: Angelique Kerber's Breakthrough Year
Angelique Kerber's exceptional year, marked by Grand Slam victories, propels her to the top of the rankings in 2016.
2016: Sabalenka's WTA Tour Debut, Grand Slam Debut, and First Top-50 Win
In 2016, Aryna Sabalenka made her debut in the main draw of a WTA Tour event at the Dubai Open and her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon, where she won her first-round match. She also secured her first victory over a top-50 player, Lauren Davis, at the Washington Open.
2016: Sabalenka's Breakthrough on the ITF Circuit and Fed Cup Debut
Aryna Sabalenka achieved significant milestones in 2016, winning her first two ITF titles in Antalya, entering the top 300 WTA rankings, making her Fed Cup debut, and securing two more ITF titles, propelling her to a year-end ranking of No. 137.
2017: A Year of Shifting Powers
2017 witnesses a dynamic shift in women's tennis, with Angelique Kerber, Karolína Plíšková, Garbiñe Muguruza, Simona Halep, and Serena Williams all vying for the top spot.
2017: Sabalenka and Sasnovich Lead Belarus to Fed Cup Final
Aryna Sabalenka and Aliaksandra Sasnovich played a pivotal role in leading the Belarus Fed Cup team to a runner-up finish in 2017, a remarkable achievement considering their rankings outside the top 75 at the time.
2017: First Experience Playing on Grass Courts
Aryna Sabalenka played on grass courts for the first time during Wimbledon in 2017, finding that she enjoyed the surface and felt her game was well-suited for it.
2017: Belarus's Fed Cup Success
Belarus achieved success in the 2017 Fed Cup.
2017: Sabalenka Focuses on WTA Tour
In 2017, Aryna Sabalenka primarily participated in WTA Tour events after her earlier successes.
2018: Coaching Change to Magnus Norman and Magnus Tideman
In early 2018, Aryna Sabalenka started working with former Swedish professional tennis players Magnus Norman and Magnus Tideman as her coaches.
2018: Fed Cup Quarterfinal Loss to Germany
In 2018, the Belarusian Fed Cup team, including Aryna Sabalenka, faced Germany in the quarterfinals in Minsk. Despite Sabalenka winning both of her singles matches, Belarus lost the tie after a decisive doubles rubber.
2018: Improved Shot Selection
During the summer of 2018, Aryna Sabalenka made significant improvements in her shot selection, as noted by her coach Dmitry Tursunov. This improvement contributed to her overall growth as a player.
2018: Crowd Mocking at Australian Open
During a match against Ashleigh Barty at the 2018 Australian Open, Aryna Sabalenka faced mockery from the home crowd due to her loud grunting while playing.
2018: Singles and Doubles Finals at Ladies Open Lugano
Aryna Sabalenka reached both the singles and doubles finals at the 2018 Ladies Open Lugano, showcasing her skills on clay courts.
2018: Caroline Wozniacki's Return to No. 1
Caroline Wozniacki's perseverance and determination lead her back to the top of the rankings in 2018.
2018: Sabalenka Finishes Year Ranked No. 11
Aryna Sabalenka finished 2018 ranked No. 11 in the world in singles.
2018: Sabalenka's Mixed Results: Titles, Grand Slam Challenges, and Top-10 Debut
Aryna Sabalenka experienced a year of mixed results in 2018, winning three WTA titles in China, facing challenges in Grand Slam tournaments with early-round exits, but still achieving a top-10 debut in the rankings.
2018: Sabalenka's Early Season Success and Australian Open Match
Aryna Sabalenka had a promising start to the 2018 season, reaching two quarterfinals and competing in the Australian Open, where she faced the top-ranked Australian player, Ashleigh Barty.
2019: Collaboration with Dmitry Tursunov
Dmitry Tursunov became Aryna Sabalenka's primary coach in 2018, working together during the grass court season. They briefly split after the US Open but reunited later that year before permanently parting ways at the end of the season.
2019: Fed Cup Semifinal Loss to Australia
The Belarusian Fed Cup team, including Aryna Sabalenka, reached the semifinals in 2019 but lost to Australia. Sabalenka won her singles match against Samantha Stosur but lost to Ashleigh Barty. Belarus was defeated in the decisive doubles rubber.
2019: Passing of Aryna Sabalenka's Father
In 2019, Aryna Sabalenka's father, Sergey, who was an ice hockey player, sadly passed away.
2019: Aryna Sabalenka's Father Passes Away
In 2019, Aryna Sabalenka's father, Sergey, an ice hockey player, passed away.
2019: World Group Play-offs Victory Against Slovakia
Belarus faced Slovakia in the 2019 Fed Cup World Group play-offs, with their place in the World Group at stake. Aryna Sabalenka split her singles matches, but Belarus ultimately won the tie after the doubles rubber, securing their spot in the World Group for 2019.
2019: Sabalenka's Success in Doubles
Aryna Sabalenka started playing doubles regularly in 2019 and achieved considerable success, including winning the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells Open and Miami Open) with Elise Mertens and qualifying for the WTA Finals for the first time.
2019: Sabalenka Maintains Top Ranking
Aryna Sabalenka maintained her position among the top players, finishing 2019 ranked No. 11 in the world in singles.
2019: Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, and Ashleigh Barty's Rise
2019 marks the rise of Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, and Ashleigh Barty, showcasing the evolving landscape of women's tennis.
August 2020: Sabalenka Criticizes Belarusian Government, But Faces Backlash
In August 2020, Aryna Sabalenka criticized the Belarusian government for its response to peaceful protests, calling for an end to violence. However, her comments drew criticism from both sides, with some members of the Belarusian opposition feeling she wasn't doing enough to support the protest movement, while others questioned her praise for the government's support of sports.
2020: High Double Fault Count
Aryna Sabalenka struggled with a high double fault count in 2020, recording 166 double faults, the highest among all players that year.
February 2021: Australian Open
In February 2021, Aryna Sabalenka competed in the Australian Open doubles competition with partner Elise Mertens. They won the competition, and as a result, Sabalenka ascended to world No. 1 in the doubles rankings for the first time in her career on February 22, 2021.
2021: Sabalenka Achieves Career High Ranking
In 2021, Aryna Sabalenka reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles after reaching the semifinals of two major tournaments.
2021: Struggles with the Yips
Starting from the 2021 WTA Finals and continuing into 2022, Aryna Sabalenka experienced the yips, resulting in a high number of double faults.
2021: Sabalenka Signs Open Letter on Sports and Politics
In 2021, amidst ongoing protests following the disputed Belarusian election, Aryna Sabalenka signed an open letter advocating for the separation of sports and politics. This move was perceived by some as tacit support for Alexander Lukashenko's government and sparked further debate about the role of athletes in political matters.
2021: Madrid Open
In 2021, Aryna Sabalenka won against Ashleigh Barty at the Madrid Open Championship. This was a rematch of the 2021 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final. As a result of her win, she was ranked world No. 4 in singles.
2021: Madrid Open
The last time Sabalenka won a title before 2023 was at the 2021 Madrid Open.
2021: US Open
At the 2021 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka achieved her best result at the tournament by reaching the semifinals.
2021: Sabalenka Reaches Major Semifinals, Achieves Career-High Ranking
Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals of two major singles tournaments in 2021, propelling her to a career-high ranking of world No. 2.
2021: Sabalenka Starts Year Strong with Abu Dhabi Open Title and Winning Streak
Aryna Sabalenka commenced 2021 on an impressive note, winning the Abu Dhabi Open title, extending her winning streak to 15 matches, and rising to a career-high ranking of No. 7.
2021: Beginning of Relationship with Konstantin Koltsov
Aryna Sabalenka began dating Konstantin Koltsov in 2021.
2021: Beginning of Rivalry with Iga Świątek
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek's rivalry began in 2021. As of 2024, Świątek leads their head-to-head 8-4.
2021: Sabalenka Becomes World No. 1 in Doubles
Aryna Sabalenka achieved the top ranking in doubles in 2021 after winning the Australian Open doubles title with Elise Mertens.
2021: First Clay Court Title at Madrid Open
Aryna Sabalenka secured her first-ever clay court title at the 2021 Madrid Open, marking a significant achievement in her career.
August 2022: Improvement in Second Serve
Aryna Sabalenka's second serve showed improvement starting from August 2022, following her collaboration with a biomechanics expert after the Canadian Open.
2022: Various Tennis Tournaments
In 2022, Sabalenka had a series of mixed results in various tennis tournaments, including the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open, Charleston Open, Women's Stuttgart Open, Madrid Open, Italian Open, and French Open.
2022: Adelaide International
Sabalenka began her 2022 season at the Adelaide International. She lost in both tournaments.
2022: Sabalenka Faces Consistency Challenges
Despite her previous success, Aryna Sabalenka struggled to consistently maintain her top form in 2022.
2022: Sabalenka Shows Support for Ukraine, Sparks Debate on Stance
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Aryna Sabalenka expressed support for the Ukrainian people and donned Ukraine-colored ribbons. However, her comments regarding the situation, particularly in relation to the banning of Russian and Belarusian athletes from Wimbledon, were met with mixed reactions. Some, including Ukrainian tennis figures, criticized her statements for lacking empathy and failing to adequately address the gravity of the situation.
2022: French Open Quarterfinal Loss
At the 2022 French Open, Aryna Sabalenka entered as the second seed and advanced to the quarterfinals. However, she faced stomach issues during her match against Mirra Andreeva and lost in three sets. This marked her first time not reaching the semifinals in a Grand Slam tournament since the 2022 US Open, resulting in her dropping to No. 3 in the WTA rankings.
2022: Ashleigh Barty and Iga Świątek Dominate
Ashleigh Barty and Iga Świątek establish themselves as the dominant forces in women's tennis in 2022, with their exceptional skills and performances.
January 2023: Sabalenka Clarifies Stance on War, Faces Continued Scrutiny
In January 2023, Aryna Sabalenka reiterated her support for Ukraine and her opposition to the war, stating that she wished for peace and highlighting that no normal person would support such conflict. However, during the 2023 French Open, her responses to questions about the war, particularly her assertion that no Belarusian or Russian athlete supports it, continued to draw scrutiny and sparked further debate about her stance.
January 2023: Sabalenka Featured in Netflix Docuseries "Break Point"
Aryna Sabalenka was featured in the Netflix docuseries "Break Point", which premiered in January 2023. The series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives and careers of professional tennis players.
2023: Various Tennis Tournaments
Sabalenka competed in various tournaments in 2023, including the Dubai Tennis Championships, Indian Wells, and the Miami Open.
2023: Custom Apparel Design by Nike
Starting from the 2023 US Open, Nike began designing custom apparel specifically for Aryna Sabalenka.
2023: Sabalenka Wins First Major Singles Title
Aryna Sabalenka won her first major singles title at the Australian Open in 2023.
2023: High Ranking in Aces Served
In 2023, Aryna Sabalenka ranked third among all players in aces served, with a total of 401 aces.
2023: Sabalenka's Breakthrough Year: First Major Title, World No. 1 Ranking, and ITF World Champion
In 2023, Aryna Sabalenka achieved several significant milestones, including winning her first major singles title at the Australian Open, reaching the semifinals of all four major tournaments, attaining the world No. 1 ranking, and being named the ITF World Champion.
2023: US Open
Coco Gauff beat Sabalenka in the final of the 2023 US Open.
2023: Aryna Sabalenka's Breakthrough and Iga Świątek's Continued Reign
Aryna Sabalenka breaks through to the top of the rankings in 2023, while Iga Świątek continues her reign as a dominant force in women's tennis.
March 2024: Death of Boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov
Konstantin Koltsov, Aryna Sabalenka's boyfriend since 2021, tragically passed away in March 2024 at the age of 42, reportedly from suicide. Sabalenka later confirmed their separation before his death.
2024: Sabalenka Wins Second Major Singles Title
Aryna Sabalenka secured her second major singles title at the Australian Open in 2024.
2024: Current Coaching Team
As of 2024, Aryna Sabalenka's coaching team consists of Anton Dubrov as her primary coach, Jason Stacy as her fitness trainer, and Andrei Vasilevski as her hitting partner.
2024: Iga Świątek's Era Continues
Iga Świątek's reign at the top of women's tennis is expected to continue into 2024, as she solidifies her status as one of the game's leading players.
2024: Memorable Madrid Open Final
In 2024, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek competed in a memorable final at the Madrid Open, with Świątek defeating defending champion Sabalenka in a three-set match lasting over three hours. Notably, Świątek saved three championship points during the match.
2024: Shoulder Injury and Withdrawal from Wimbledon
In June 2024, Aryna Sabalenka sustained a right shoulder injury during her quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya at the Berlin Ladies Open, forcing her to retire from the match. Due to the injury, she subsequently withdrew from the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.
2024: Australian Open
Sabalenka won the 2024 Australian Open without losing a set.