In a raw and heartfelt moment during her Brisbane International title defense on January 7, 2025, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka opened up about the profound regret she carries from her father’s sudden death in 2019, admitting she “regrets not spending enough time” with him before losing him to meningitis at age 43. The Belarusian powerhouse, who clinched her first title of the year with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Diana Shnaider, used her on-court interview to honor her father Sergei, revealing how his absence continues to shape her journey as a champion and the “responsibility” she feels to dominate the WTA Tour in his memory.
The Confession: A Father’s Lasting Shadow
Sabalenka’s victory in Brisbane—her third straight title there—marked an emotional return to the site of her 2024 triumph, but it was her post-match words that resonated deepest. “This one is really special for me because my dad loved this tournament,” she said, her voice cracking as tears welled up. “I regret not spending enough time with him… He passed away so suddenly, and I wish I had more moments. He was my biggest supporter, always telling me to fight for every point.” Sergei’s death came just months after Sabalenka’s 2019 US Open breakthrough at age 21, a loss that plunged her into a spiral of grief, injuries, and motivational dips—costing her the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The 27-year-old, now a three-time Grand Slam champion (2023 and 2024 US Open, 2025 Australian Open), has channeled that pain into fuel. “Every title I win is for him,” she continued. “The responsibility as No. 1 is huge, but it’s what he would want—to dominate, not just compete.” Sabalenka’s 2025 season, already eventful with a French Open final loss to Coco Gauff and Wimbledon semifinal exit to Amanda Anisimova, has seen her reflect on her father’s influence amid three Slam defeats. “Those losses hurt, but they make me stronger—like he taught me,” she told Eurosport after Beijing.
A Year of Highs, Lows, and Healing
Sabalenka’s 2025 has been a rollercoaster: A dominant Australian Open title defense (her third straight Slam win), but painful finals losses at the French Open (to Gauff) and Wimbledon (to Anisimova), plus a Cincinnati semifinal defeat to Iga Świątek. Her “hate relationship” with Wimbledon, confessed after the semi, stemmed from emotional outbursts, including criticizing Anisimova for celebrating “early” and not apologizing for a net cord. She later called those comments “completely unprofessional,” vowing growth.
Off-court, Sabalenka has leaned on boyfriend Georgios Frangulis for support during a post-US Open break in Greece, including a “dream double date” with Djokovic and his wife. Her ex-coach’s 2018 outburst revelation—that she “lacked motivation” early on—contrasts her current fire, but Sergei’s memory remains the anchor. “I wish I had asked him more about life, not just tennis,” she admitted in Brisbane, echoing a July confession about her Slam losses linking to self-trust issues.
| Tournament | Result | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | Champion | Third straight Slam; emotional tribute to father |
| French Open | Finalist | Lost to Gauff; “lacked trust” admission |
| Wimbledon | SF | “Hate relationship” rant; unprofessional comments |
| US Open | Champion | Fourth Slam; post-title break for recovery |
The Confession’s Impact: Fuel for Finals Dominance
Sabalenka’s Brisbane words, amid a 50-week No. 1 streak, underscore her vulnerability beneath the power game that’s netted four Slams and nine WTA 1000s. “The responsibility is huge, but I want to dominate—for him,” she said, eyeing the WTA Finals in Riyadh (November 2-9), where she’s the defending champion. Her 2025 record (52-8) leads the tour, but the father’s regret adds depth to her story—a reminder that even queens carry invisible weights.
Fans on social media praised her candor: #SabalenkaStrong trended with “Aryna’s strength is her heart—Sergei would be proud.” As she defends Brisbane next week, Sabalenka’s confession isn’t weakness—it’s the spark that could ignite another historic run. In tennis’s grind, family isn’t just motivation; it’s the unbreakable why.
