While Aryna Sabalenka was winning the Australian Open twice, she experienced unimaginable tragedy.

On the outside, Aryna Sabalenka's life appears to be one of extraordinary achievements.

At 27, she's taken the tennis world by storm, becoming one of the sport's most formidable players. 

She's the current world No. 1 in singles and former No. 1 in doubles. But her meteoric rise to the top hasn't been easy.

Aryna Sabalenka and her father Sergey: A bond through tennis.

Born in Minsk, Belarus, in 1998, Sabalenka's life quickly became deeply intertwined with tennis when her hockey-playing father, Sergey, introduced her to the sport. 

Sergey wasn't just Aryna's father — he became her first coach, biggest cheerleader, and the architect of her tennis dreams. Together, they spent countless hours on court, him feeding balls, her hitting them with the power that would one day become her trademark. 

Image: Instagram/arynasabalenka

After turning professional in 2015, Sabalenka's powerful playing style quickly caught attention. Then in 2018, her breakthrough finally came when she won her first WTA title at the Connecticut Open, signalling the arrival of a new force in women's tennis.

But while her professional career flourished, her personal life was about to implode.

In November 2019, the unthinkable happened. Sabalenka's father unexpectedly died, aged 43. She not only lost a parent she loved dearly, but a mentor and her biggest supporter.

Playing for dad.

Sabalenka's relationship with tennis was deeply intertwined with her father. It was all she had ever known. Losing him was devastating. But she knew she had to keep playing. If not for her love of the sport, then for him. 

Sabalenka threw her all into training. Before her father died, the duo had a dream: she would win two grand slams before her 25th birthday. Now, it was up to her to do it alone.

She opened up about the immense pressure she put on herself to perform in Netflix's documentary Break Point.

"When he passed away, I started thinking too much about it," she said. "Now I'm 24 and there is zero in my pocket. I feel like I just put so much pressure on myself."

Aryna Sabalenka at the 2025 Australian Open. Image: Getty.

Still 24 at the end of filming, she signs off with a cheery message, "Next season it's my year, guys!"

And she was right. In 2023, Sabalenka broke through to claim her first Grand Slam win at the Australian Open — she was halfway there. 

"When I told [my mum] I wanted to win a Slam for him, for his memory, I wanted to put our family name in history, she said, 'What are you talking about? He was proud of you after each match you win. Every match for him mattered and titles weren't a big deal'," she said in the documentary.

"He would say, 'You just have to trust yourself. You know how to play this game. You just have to go for it.'"

And go for it, she did. In 2024, Sabalenka nabbed her second title, making it two before her 26th birthday — an incredible feat and pretty damn close to her promise. 

After being presented with the trophy, she addressed her family directly, saying she loved them more than anything.

"You are my biggest motivation and everything I am doing, I am doing for you," she said.

In her post-match press conference, Sabalenka was asked if she was playing to honour her father's memory.

"Before last year's slam, it was like that, but since then — of course he's my biggest motivation, he's been everything for me — but right now, I have my mum, my sister," Sabalenka said.

"But I just feel that he's always with me. I'm very thankful for everything he did for me, and if not for him, I wouldn't be here."

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A post shared by Aryna Sabalenka (@arynasabalenka)

Aryna Sabalenka and Konstantin Koltsov.

The loss of her father isn't the only grief Sabalenka has had to navigate.

In March 2024, her former partner Konstantin Koltsov died, aged 42. 

Sabalenka and Koltsov began dating in 2021 and the tennis player frequently referenced Koltsov on social media in pictures and messages while dating.

When the athlete won her second grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, Koltsov celebrated her on Instagram, writing, "Congratulations again my love."

Aryna Sabalenka and Konstantin Koltsov. Image: Instagram/@sabalenka_aryna

Though the couple was no longer together when Koltsov passed away, the loss hit hard. 

"Konstantin's death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we are no longer together, my heart is broken. Please respect my privacy and his family's privacy during this difficult time," Sabalenka wrote on Instagram.

The former ice hockey player who competed in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins had been a regular presence supporting Sabalenka at tournaments.

News of his death was announced by the Russian ice hockey team Salavat Yulaev Ufa, where Koltsov had been assistant coach. Miami police confirmed the tragedy and said it was an apparent suicide.

Aryna Sabalenka and Konstantin Koltsov. Image: Instagram/@arynasabalenka.

Through unimaginable loss and personal tragedy, Sabalenka continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience on and off the court.

Last year proved to be one of her most successful ones yet. She dominated the tennis circuit with victories in Miami, Madrid, and the US Open. Now, the world No. 1 is back to reclaim her Australian Open title.

This story was originally published on March 20, 2023, and has since been updated with new information.

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Feature Image: Getty.