2024 US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka‘s recent performance witnessed an unexpected moment. However, she got it covered as her personal life caught the spotlight at this moment. After ending her Shanghai run with heartbreak, Sabalenka took a retrospective journey. It wasn’t her words that fuelled the intrigue, but her boyfriend’s heartwarming gesture that showcased Sabalenka’s source of motivation. While the world often witnesses fleeting victories, Sabalenka’s relationship leaves a question: Is love enough to heal the pressure of crumbling dominance?
Sabalenka ended her 2024 China Open in the quarterfinals. Karolina Muchova defeated her by 7(7)-6(5), 2-6, and 6-4. The Belarusian won her third Grand Slam at the Flushing Meadows this season and flew straight to Shanghai to attend the tournament. After five years, Sabalenka expressed her happiness in coming to the country, where she enjoys many supporters. The WTA number two has won four titles in China alongside Agnieszka Radwanska. Despite an impressive start, the Belarusian couldn’t pass the quarterfinals against a competitive opponent like Muchova.
Sabalenka shared some photos from her China Open trip. From a cute tennis skit to a self-care moment, traveling around the city, signing autographs for fans, and cozy moments with her beau Georgios Frangulis, Sabalenka’s China Open moments were too adorable to miss. “Thank you, @chinaopen—motivated to come back even stronger next time. 💪 Thank you for all the support,” captioned Sabalenka. While she suffered heartbreak, her multi-millionaire boyfriend Frangulis made sure she got all the comfort. Inspired by the Belarusian’s spirit, Fragulis dropped a purple heart emoji on the comment, showcasing his support.
The WTA number two entered the tournament as a top seed after Iga Swiatek withdrew her name. In the first round, Sabalenka defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew from Thailand and won 18 of the 21 matches she played in any Chinese WTA 1000 tournaments. This is the most wins by any player after the format’s introduction in 2009.
Previously, when asked about her happiness in achieving this feat, Sabalenka expressed great delight. Acknowledging her huge Chinese fan group, the Belarusian expressed real enthusiasm for playing in the country.
Aryna Sabalenka reveals “it’s always great to come back” in China
When she made a record after her debut win at the 2024 China Open, Sabalenka expressed huge gratitude for playing on Asian soil. “I’m having a lot of great memories from the past. Actually, I don’t even know how many tournaments I won in China. Yeah, it’s always great to come back and feel the atmosphere, feel the vibe, knowing that I kind of gain my fan club here.” Her statement highlighted how much her Chinese fans mean to her.
She further delved deeper into how the support from Chinese fans keeps her going. “It’s given me, like, more motivation to go there and compete and bring my best tennis and make sure I stay till the last stages of the tournament so I can enjoy this atmosphere as much as possible,” she said. After this statement, it wasn’t hard to understand Sabalenka’s strong bond with the country’s tennis fraternity.
The Belarusian might end her China Open run this season, but she returned home with tons of love from the supporters. While winning or losing is a part of a game, such love bears the strength for a player in the long run. Sabalenka’s 2024 China Open run exited without a trophy, but she went home with something more precious: the love and support of the people. Don’t you think it is her biggest reward from the tournament?
