Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player and one of the leading figures in women’s tennis. As of September 8, 2026, she is ranked world No. 1 and is pursuing a third consecutive US Open title.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Aryna Sabalenka |
| Born | May 5, 1998 |
| Age | 28 |
| Birthplace | Minsk, Belarus |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.82 m) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Career-high ranking | No. 1 |
| Current singles ranking | No. 1 |
| Grand Slam singles titles | 4 |
| Current coach | Anton Dubrov |
| Career WTA singles titles | 24 |
WTA lists Sabalenka at 5’11”, with a May 5, 1998 birthday, a career-high ranking of No. 1 and Anton Dubrov as her current coach.
Who Is Aryna Sabalenka?
Aryna Sabalenka has built her career around aggressive baseline tennis, a powerful serve and a willingness to take control of points early. Her rise to the top was not instant, but she steadily progressed from the ITF Circuit to the WTA’s elite.
She made her professional-level debut on the ITF Circuit in 2012 and broke into the WTA’s Top 100 in 2017. Her first major breakthrough came in 2018, when she won titles in New Haven and Wuhan and finished the season ranked No. 11.
That progression continued rapidly. She entered the Top 10 in January 2019, and by the end of that season she had also established herself as an accomplished doubles player.
Sabalenka’s Grand Slam Career
Sabalenka’s biggest transformation came at the Grand Slam level. For years, her physical power was obvious, but controlling her emotions and reducing unforced errors became an important part of her development.
Her breakthrough arrived at the 2023 Australian Open. She defeated Elena Rybakina in the final to win her first Grand Slam singles championship. Later that year, she reached the US Open final and rose to world No. 1 for the first time after her run in New York.
She then became especially dominant on hard courts.
At the 2024 Australian Open, Sabalenka successfully defended her title, beating Zheng Qinwen in the final without dropping a set during the tournament. That made her the first woman since Victoria Azarenka in 2012-13 to win back-to-back Australian Open singles titles.
Later in 2024, she won the US Open for the first time. She defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in the final, giving her two Grand Slam singles titles for the season and three overall.
Her 2025 season added another major achievement. She won the US Open again, defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final, and finished the year as world No. 1 for a second consecutive season. WTA also records 63 match wins for her in 2025 and a tour-leading four titles.
That victory made Sabalenka a four-time Grand Slam singles champion.
Aryna Sabalenka in 2026
Sabalenka entered 2026 still at the center of the women’s game. WTA currently lists her as No. 1 with three singles titles and a 40-8 record for the season. Her 2026 titles came at Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami.
The Australian Open was one of the year’s most significant early tests. Sabalenka reached the final but finished runner-up to Elena Rybakina.
At Roland Garros, she reached the quarterfinals before losing to Diana Shnaider 3-6, 7-5, 6-0. The defeat showed that even at No. 1, Sabalenka’s path to a calendar-year Grand Slam sweep remained difficult, particularly on clay.
Wimbledon brought another setback. Naomi Osaka defeated Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6(2) in the fourth round, ending Sabalenka’s run at the tournament and snapping a streak of 14 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances in events she had contested.
Her hard-court season, however, has again put her in a strong position.
Sabalenka at the 2026 US Open
The 2026 US Open is particularly important because Sabalenka arrived in New York as the two-time defending champion.
She advanced through the first rounds without dropping a set, including a 6-1, 6-1 win over Polina Iatcenko and a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Kamilla Rakhimova.
In the fourth round, Sabalenka defeated American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3. The victory was her 17th consecutive US Open match win and secured her sixth straight US Open quarterfinal appearance.
As of September 8, 2026, Sabalenka’s quarterfinal opponent is Linda Noskova, the reigning Wimbledon champion. Their match is significant beyond the tournament itself: Sabalenka is trying to become the first player since Serena Williams from 2012 through 2014 to win three straight US Open women’s singles titles. Her No. 1 ranking is also under pressure from Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff.
Why Sabalenka Is So Difficult to Beat
Sabalenka’s game is built around pressure.
Her first serve can create cheap points, while her powerful forehand and backhand allow her to dictate rallies from the baseline. She is also comfortable taking the ball early, which can prevent opponents from settling into longer exchanges.
That approach is particularly effective on hard courts. Before the 2026 US Open quarterfinals, the tournament’s official site noted that 21 of Sabalenka’s 24 career WTA singles titles had come on hard courts, including all four of her Grand Slam victories.
Her development has also been about more than raw power. Over time, Sabalenka has become better at managing difficult stretches within matches rather than allowing one poor game or emotional moment to dictate the result.
Her fourth-round victory over Townsend was a good example. Townsend took an early lead in the second set, but Sabalenka recovered and won five straight games to close out the match.
Who Coaches Aryna Sabalenka?
Sabalenka is coached by Anton Dubrov, who has worked with her since their earlier days as hitting partners before becoming her full-time coach in 2020.
Their partnership has produced some of the most important years of Sabalenka’s career. Dubrov was part of her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 Australian Open and coached her through her 2024 season, when she won the Australian Open, US Open, Cincinnati and Wuhan. He also helped her finish 2024 as the WTA year-end No. 1.
Before Dubrov, Sabalenka worked with coaches including Dmitry Tursunov and Didi Kindlmann.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Career Titles
WTA currently lists Sabalenka with 24 career WTA singles titles. Her championship record includes four Grand Slam singles trophies: the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, followed by the US Open in 2024 and 2025.
She has also won six doubles titles, including the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open with Elise Mertens.
Her résumé therefore extends beyond singles. Before becoming one of the dominant singles players of her generation, Sabalenka was already successful in doubles and finished 2019 as the world No. 2 doubles player.
What Makes Aryna Sabalenka Stand Out?
Sabalenka’s career is notable because her biggest strengths have developed alongside her biggest challenges. Early in her career, explosive hitting could sometimes come with streaks of errors. As her experience increased, she learned to use the same aggression with greater control.
That balance has helped turn her into a consistent Grand Slam contender rather than simply a dangerous opponent on her best days.
Her results tell the story. She has reached the Australian Open final in three consecutive editions from 2024 through 2026, won four Grand Slam singles titles, finished two consecutive seasons as year-end No. 1, and remains at the top of the rankings in September 2026.
For Sabalenka, the next major milestone is clear: a third straight US Open championship. The 2026 tournament will determine whether she can add another chapter to an already remarkable hard-court record.
FAQs
How old is Aryna Sabalenka?
Aryna Sabalenka was born on May 5, 1998, making her 28 years old as of September 2026.
What is Aryna Sabalenka’s current ranking?
Sabalenka is ranked No. 1 in WTA singles as of September 2026.
How many Grand Slam titles has Aryna Sabalenka won?
She has won four Grand Slam singles titles: the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024 and the US Open in 2024 and 2025.
Who is Aryna Sabalenka’s coach?
Her current coach is Anton Dubrov, who began working with her as a hitting partner before becoming her full-time coach in 2020.
What country does Aryna Sabalenka represent?
Sabalenka represents Belarus in professional tennis. Her WTA profile lists Minsk, Belarus, as her birthplace.
Is Aryna Sabalenka playing at the 2026 US Open?
Yes. As of September 8, 2026, she has reached the quarterfinals of the US Open, where she is facing Linda Noskova.
How tall is Aryna Sabalenka?
Sabalenka is listed by the WTA at 5 feet 11 inches, or 1.82 meters.
Source list
- WTA Tour: Aryna Sabalenka | Player Stats & More – WTA Official, Access Date: September 8, 2026
- WTA Tour: Anton Dubrov, WTA Official, Access Date: September 8, 2026
- US Open: Aryna Sabalenka overpowers Townsend in 2026 US Open Round 4 to keep three-peat on track, Access Date: September 8, 2026 US Open: Aryna Sabalenka to meet Linda Noskova on Tuesday at the 2026 US Open, Access Date: September 8, 2026
- Australian Open: Back-to-back: Aryna Sabalenka repeats as Australian Open champion, Access Date: September 8, 2026
- Wimbledon: Visions of Victory: Linda Noskova Champion, Access Date: September 8, 2026
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