In a revealing interview and photoshoot for Esquire magazine, women's world tennis number one Aryna Sabalenka has disclosed the surprising alternative career paths she would have pursued if she hadn't become a global tennis champion. The Belarusian star, who graced the magazine's cover wearing a striking blue fur coat and high heels, stated she would likely have become either a boxer or a plus-size model.
Balancing Two Personalities
Sabalenka explained that her aggressive on-court persona, which sometimes manifests in racquet-smashing antics, would naturally translate to boxing. "Until the end of my life, I'll have to do something where I'm that aggressive - maybe boxing - because I feel like I'm balancing these two personalities really well," she told the publication. "On the court, I'm quite aggressive, quite emotional, which I need to be to pull out my best tennis. Off the court, I'm a completely different person."
The 27-year-old acknowledged she works to channel her aggression appropriately. "I'm always going to be me," Sabalenka said. "But there is a line when you become a terrible person that you cannot cross." Regarding modelling, she added with confidence: "Boxing or maybe modeling. Maybe model size plus. I would be good."
Father's Legacy and Fighting Spirit
Sabalenka attributes her competitive ferocity to her late father, Sergey Sabalenka, a professional hockey player for Belarus who died unexpectedly from meningitis in 2019 at age 43. She has spoken openly about how his sudden passing motivated her to excel in tennis. "He taught me to stay strong no matter what, to be positive no matter what, to have fun in life no matter what," she revealed.
"He didn't realize he was being a good example, because he was also facing a lot of ups and downs. He was always fighting, and that's why I have a really strong fighting spirit on the court." Sabalenka emphasized the importance of processing grief while maintaining focus. "Going through loss, it's important to do your work, keep yourself distracted. At the same time, it's important to grieve, to cry, to go through the emotions. Never hold it inside, because it'll destroy you from the inside."
Career and Personal Milestones
Sabalenka's professional and personal life have both reached remarkable heights recently. In September, she secured her second consecutive US Open title and her fourth Grand Slam championship overall. Then in March, she announced her engagement to entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, proudly displaying a diamond-encrusted ring to her social media followers.
Fashion-Forward Photoshoot
The Esquire photoshoot showcased Sabalenka in an array of fashionable ensembles beyond the attention-grabbing blue fur coat she cheekily requested to keep afterward. In one striking image, she flashed peace signs while wearing a Versace dress and an Audemars Piguet watch. Other outfits included a billowing yellow and black Sacai dress, a light green Jacquemus + Nike jacket with sandals, and various tennis-inspired looks that blended athletic and high-fashion aesthetics.
These fashion statements, while perhaps not suitable for actual tennis matches, created visually captivating magazine spreads that highlighted Sabalenka's versatility beyond the tennis court. The photoshoot and interview collectively present a multidimensional portrait of a champion navigating fame, personal growth, and professional excellence while contemplating alternative identities she might have embraced.
