Aryna Sabalenka is cultivating a compelling presence in the tennis world, characterized by an authentic and unreserved display of emotion on court. Fellow professional Paula Badosa, who is Sabalenka's closest friend on the tour, described her as "a very authentic person" who "always shows the way she is." This unique trait, according to Badosa, contributes to Sabalenka's distinctiveness.
Sabalenka acknowledges that her emotions can sometimes overwhelm her but has no intention of suppressing her passion. "I will never be completely in control," she stated. "When I hold that negativity inside, it keeps growing, growing, growing, growing. It destroys you from the inside to the point that you don’t have any energy and power to compete and to fight. So I’ve found it really helpful to just yell something. I have to release it."
She has even humorously suggested the implementation of a designated area at tournaments for racket destruction. "Between the sets, you just go to that room, you let it go, and you come back as a new person," she explained.
With two U.S. Open championships already to her name, Sabalenka is setting her sights on a third consecutive title. This achievement would make her the first player since Serena Williams to accomplish such a feat at the U.S. Open and only the third woman in the modern era to win three consecutive titles at the tournament.