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'I Went Through a Lot': Aryna Sabalenka Speaks Out on Becoming Top Women's Tennis Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Madz Dizon | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 1:56 AM ET

Reigning US Open champion and current world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, opened up about the difficult road that brought her to the top of women’s tennis.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Boardroom, the Belarusian star admitted that while she now stands as one of the sport’s most dominant figures, the climb was far from easy.

“I went through a lot,” Sabalenka said. “Since a very young age, I was dreaming of becoming number one. It’s hard work. When I broke into the top 50, and I was getting better and better every year, I felt like maybe I could get there. And then when I made the top 10, I had the confidence that one day I’d be able to reach my goal.”

The interview comes as Sabalenka begins her US Open title defense, advancing to the second round after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-1 victory over Rebeka Masarova on Sunday.

Aryna Sabalenka’s Rise to the Top of Women’s Tennis

Sabalenka’s career has been marked by both triumph and setbacks. Her breakthrough came after years of steady improvement on the WTA Tour, where she gradually climbed from outside the top 50 into the world’s elite.

The 27-year-old said reaching the No. 1 ranking brought back a flood of memories about her struggles on and off the court.

“Whenever you reach your goals, you think of the past, what it took to get there. And yeah, it blows your mind,” she said.

Her journey wasn’t just about winning matches. Sabalenka has dealt with the pressure of high expectations, heartbreaking losses and the discipline required to remain consistent. That included her defeat in the 2023 US Open final against Coco Gauff, a match where she admitted she felt in control before the momentum slipped away.

“I struggled a lot in the past in New York, and this was the Slam I badly wanted to win,” Sabalenka said. “Losing that final made me even more determined. When I finally won it the next year, it felt like everything happened for a reason. I finally got this beautiful trophy.”

Defending Her US Open Title

This year, Sabalenka is back in New York with the weight of defending her crown. Her opening-round win showed both resilience and dominance. She admitted the first set was difficult, as Masarova pushed her to a 5-5 deadlock before Sabalenka pulled away.

“I feel like I didn’t start my best in the first games, but then I found my rhythm. Happy with the level I played today,” Sabalenka said after the match.

She credited the roaring support at Arthur Ashe Stadium for fueling her comeback.

“When I won that set point and you were cheering me up, I had goosebumps while I was sitting,” she told the crowd. “Your support means a lot to me.”

Her second-round opponent will be Polina Kudermetova, whom she defeated earlier this year in Dubai.

While her power-driven game has made her a three-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka is also carving out a presence off the court. Her recent Boardroom cover story paired a candid interview with a stylish photoshoot that drew praise from fans and even Jelena Djokovic, wife of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.