Aryna Sabalenka’s Tattoos: Meaning Behind Tennis Star's Inks

(Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)

Aryna Sabalenka’s Tattoos: Meaning Behind Tennis Star's Inks

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Faizan Mirza | Last updated Sep 6, 2026 11:10 AM ET

Aryna Sabalenka is a strong tennis player, a fierce competitor, and a competitive personality, but another attribute has become synonymous with the world No. 1, her tiger tattoo.

The Belarusian star has a prominent tiger tattoo on her left forearm, and there is a very personal reason behind the design. Sabalenka was born in 1998, the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac, which is why the animal is a natural choice for the tennis star.

What Does Aryna Sabalenka’s Tiger Tattoo Mean?

Sabalenka has said that her tiger tattoo is related to her birth year and her love for the animal. She spoke about her dream of having a tattoo of a tiger on her arm in a previous interview with Tennis Channel, but eventually decided to make it happen.

“I was born in the year of the tiger,” Sabalenka explained, adding that she had dreamed about having the tattoo before getting it.

Aryna Sabalenka’s tattoo is seen in the Women’s Singles Semifinal match against Paula Badosa of Spain during day 12 of the 2025 Australian Open.(Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

The meaning also resonates with Sabalenka’s image as a tennis player. Tigers are known for their strength, courage, and determination, which have become her trademarks in her aggressive playing style.

The tattoo has even helped Sabalenka earn her nickname “The Tiger.” The tattoo is one of the things that can be seen on the WTA’s official player profile for the four-time Grand Slam champion.

When Did Sabalenka Get Her First Tattoo?

Sabalenka was tattooed with the tiger when she was 18, but her parents weren’t all that happy about it at first.

She has recalled that her parents did not know about the tattoo beforehand. Her father, Sergey, laughed when he first saw it, and her mother was said to be upset and not talking to her for about a week.

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Sabalenka joked with her mother that it would be her first and last tattoo, before adding that it would be “hopefully” her last one.

The tiger has evolved into much more than body art over the years. It’s a reflection of Sabalenka’s persona on the court: aggressive, fearless, and not afraid to fight back.

That link has grown even more appropriate as Sabalenka has emerged as one of the top women’s tennis players. Her tiger tattoo is a visual reminder of the competitive edge that has helped her reach the top of the sport.