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'I Want to Build a Family': Tennis Superstar Aryna Sabalenka Talks About Retirement, Career Plan

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Madz Dizon | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 7:18 PM ET

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is known for her fierce power on the court, but behind the trophies and rankings, the Belarusian star is already thinking about life beyond tennis.

In a candid interview with Boardroom, the 27-year-old admitted that while she has no plans to retire soon, building a family is part of her long-term vision.

“It’s a tough question for women,” Sabalenka said. “For guys, it’s all about their lifestyle to stay healthy, but for women, there is another part, which is building the family. Of course, ideally, I’m not retiring anytime soon, but at some point, maybe in five to seven years, I want to build a family and probably come back and try to get back on this level.”

Aryna Sabalenka Balances Career Peak and Future Goals

Sabalenka enters this stage of her career at the very top of the sport. With three Grand Slam titles, including two Australian Opens and last year’s US Open, she is not only the world’s No. 1 player but also one of the most recognizable faces in tennis.

Despite her success, she acknowledges that her future must balance both her love for competition and her desire for a personal life outside the game.

“I just have so much love and passion for the sport, and that’s literally everything I’ve been doing my whole life,” she explained. “I think it’s going to be very tough for me to retire. So, I think I’ll be one of those people who is very old but keeps trying.”

Her comments come as conversations about athlete longevity grow across sports. Male champions like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic extended their careers well into their 30s, but for women, Sabalenka pointed out, family planning often creates a different timeline.

“I don’t want to just come back and be on this middle level,” she said. For her, returning to the tour after a pause would mean regaining the same elite form she has worked her entire career to achieve.

Off the court, Sabalenka has been building her presence as a global figure. She recently joined Naomi Osaka’s agency, Evolve, after leaving IMG, signaling her intent to shape her brand on her own terms.

She has also been active in fashion and business, drawing inspiration from legends like Federer, who successfully built ventures outside of their playing careers.

She believes that developing a life beyond tennis is as important as dominating on the court.

“I love fashion, I love business, I love to learn new stuff and work with different brands,” Sabalenka said in the Boardroom interview. “Your career is not long enough, and you have to have something else outside of your sport.”

For Sabalenka, the message is clear. She isn’t done yet. She wants more titles, more victories and more moments in front of roaring crowds. But when the time comes, she also wants a family.

And if history is any guide, she may be among the few who manage to balance both.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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