Sophie Dianne explores whether Belarusian tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka has a faith in God like her peer, Coco Gauff.
This year at Wimbledon it was a shock to see the world No. 2, USA’s Coco Gauff, eliminated from Wimbledon in the first round - after winning the French Open a few weeks earlier. Although this was a blow for her career, Coco has always remained positive. Ater her win at the Southern and Western Open in Cincinnati in 2023, she bravely declared her beliefs: “I’d like to thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I spent a lot of nights alone crying trying to figure it out. I still have a lot to figure out, but I thank him for covering me.”
Despite Gauff’s exit, it would seem that faith has not ventured far from the famous courts.
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As it stands, Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka is the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world No. 1. She has won 20 singles titles, including; three majors at the 2023 Australian Open, the 2024 Australian Open and the 2024 US Open. She is now predicted to be this year’s Women’s Wimbledon Champion, after beating Laura Siegemund in the quarter-finals yeterday.
After matches Sabalenka has been seen kneeling and thanking God for her victory
After matches Sabalenka has been seen kneeling and thanking God for her victory - suggesting a sense of gratitude or acknowledgment to a higher power. In Belarus, the dominant religion is Christianity, with Eastern Orthodoxy being the largest denomination. But is Aryna a Christian?
Six years ago, Aryna’s father Sergey, (a former pro hockey player), suddenly fell ill with meningitis and died at the age of 43. Losing a parent, at any age is a very profound and heavy loss. Aryna said the trauma was beyond words. In an interview with Flaunt, she opened up about the loss of her father and how it impacted her.
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Sabalanka’s mental health, put immense strain on her gameplay, after hours of training, she contacted a psychologist. It was advised she see a biomechanical coach to help with ‘a bad reaction to outside forces.’
Off the court, she has kept her private life out of the media but recently spoke about how going to church has helped with her grief.
Off the court, she has kept her private life out of the media but recently spoke about how going to church has helped with her grief. Talking to Tennis World USA, Aryna said: “When I lost my dad, from time to time, I would go to church and put a candle for his memory and the memory of my grandfather.” Throughout her life, Aryna’s biggest source of encouragement was her father. Before his death, she made a pact with her father that she would win at least two grand slams by the age of 25, four months before her 26th birthday she fulfilled that promise.
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While Aryna credits her father with her drive to win, she speaks most fondly of his magnetism and cheer. Having learnt from their father, she now wants to be a good role for her younger sister Tonechka. In 2024, Aryna was first pictured with her boyfriend, since then, they have become inseparable. Georgios Frangulis is a businessman, who launched acai-based Oakberry in 2016 but he told Forbes Brazil, his primary focus is God. “I go to church a lot, talking to God does me good. I was influenced by both branches of the family. The spiritual side has always been important to me- as well as intuition.”
Although Aryna’s beliefs are not clear, it’s obvious to see that she is surrounded by godly influences.
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