At just 27 years old, Aryna Sabalenka sits at the top of her sport. A two-time Australian Open champion and the reigning U.S. Open winner, she is currently ranked No. 1 in the world. But this isn’t a story about overnight success. Born and raised in Belarus, Sabalenka didn’t come up through the usual pipelines or ride the hype of early celebrity. She clawed her way into the sport’s elite through sheer force — of will, of personality, and of power on the court.
In this conversation, which took place back in early May, Sabalenka opens up like never before about the pressure that comes with the crown, the struggle to stay grounded as attention builds, and the evolution she’s undergoing as a businesswoman and global brand. She talks candidly about why she made the switch from IMG to Evolve, what she looks for in a brand partner, and why she wants to be more than just another name in a press release. Sabalenka doesn’t just want to win — she wants to build.
