Born in Minsk, Belarus, Aryna Sabalenka was raised by her parents, Yulia and Sergey Sabalenka. She also has a younger sister, Tonechka, who was born more than a decade after Aryna.
Yulia, Aryna’s mother, is a supportive presence both in life and on Aryna’s growing social channels. She frequently travels to matches, appearing in the stands during title celebrations, and occasionally shares glimpses of those moments on her own Instagram–once referring to Aryna’s dual Australian Open trophies as “twins” and jokingly asking for “triplets!”
Here are five fast facts about Sabalenka’s family you should know.
1. Sergey Sabalenka Was an Athlete Himself
Before Aryna ever held a racket, her father Sergey had dreams of a career in ice hockey. That path was cut short by a car accident in his teens, but his love for sports remained strong. It was he who first drove six-year-old Aryna to a tennis court, sparking her love for the game.
“One day, my dad was just driving me somewhere in the car, and on the way he saw tennis courts,” Aryna said. “So he took me to the courts. I really liked it and enjoyed it and that’s how it was. That’s how it started.” She began training at the National Tennis Academy in Minsk in 2014, started competing at the junior level in 2015, and one could say the rest is history.
Their shared athletic spirit forged a powerful bond. Aryna credits her competitive fire and optimistic outlook to her father’s influence; recalling how he always “focused on the positive things” and inspired her to carry that mindset both on and off court.
2. Sergey’s Unexpected Death
In 2019, Sergey tragically passed away from meningitis. His sudden loss was a crushing blow for Aryna, both personally and professionally. She has spoken about how it left her struggling to perform on court, admitting there was a period when she “couldn’t serve” because of the weight of her grief.
“The way he raised me, he always told me that you have to fight,” Aryna said. “You have to work hard … he was always positive, fun, and he always tried to stay strong.”
Despite the heartbreak, Aryna found a way forward. With support from a psychologist and a biomechanical coach, she worked to rebuild her mental strength and refine her game. Those months of recovery became a turning point in her career, shaping the resilience and focus that later carried her to Grand Slam victories.
3. Proud Mom and Subtle Jokester
Yulia’s presence is not limited to cheering from the stands; her personality occasionally shines through, too. At one Australian Open trophy ceremony, she playfully criticized the similarity of Aryna’s wins: “like they’re twins … you could play different types … try for the other Slams?”
Those light-hearted moments highlight the warmth and humor that fuel Aryna’s support system. Yulia’s social media posts–featuring travel snapshots and proud displays of Aryna’s trophies–offer fans a glimpse behind the scenes of a tight-knit family rallying for their champion.
4. A Sisterly Bond That Shapes Her
Aryna’s younger sister, Tonechka, is part of that foundational support as well. Despite the significant age gap, Aryna has embraced the role of older sister with devotion—today acting as a mentor, friend, and role model.
She has said Tonechka’s presence motivates her. Through her successes, Aryna hopes to set an inspiring example for her younger sibling–showing that hard work, perseverance, and family pride are the true keys to reaching one’s dreams.
5. A Goal Shared Between Father and Daughter
Before his passing, Sergey believed deeply in Aryna’s potential. He was among the first to recognize that she had the drive and talent to become one of the sport’s greats. Together, they made a heartfelt pact: Aryna promised to win at least a couple of Grand Slam titles before she turned 25.
That goal became a guiding light for her career. By winning the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, along with the U.S. Open in 2024, Aryna fulfilled their shared dream. Every time she competes at the highest level, she honors both the belief her father had in her and the promise they made together.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know