There’s no doubt Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal are among the greatest players in tennis history. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka has emerged as one of the dominant forces, cementing her place as the world’s top-ranked player.
The Belarusian has capitalized on Iga Swiatek’s dip in form and established herself as the leader in a field with limited competition at the top. While clay courts remain a challenge, Sabalenka’s power and consistency, particularly on hard courts, make her a formidable opponent when she’s in top form.
Born on May 5, 1998, in Minsk, Belarus, Sabalenka turned professional in 2015. She won her first WTA title in 2018 in New Haven, Connecticut. The following two years saw her add three titles in each season, but her breakthrough came in 2023 when she captured her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
In 2024, Sabalenka repeated her Australian Open triumph, won the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati, and claimed the US Open, solidifying her status as the world’s No. 1 player. Her dominance has continued into 2025, with notable victories at the Miami Open and Madrid Open.
Aryna Sabalenka won the 2024 US Open. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
This year, Sabalenka is focused on winning the Grand Slams that have eluded her—Roland Garros and Wimbledon—while continuing to assert her strength on hard courts, particularly at the US Open.
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During an appearance on TNT, Sabalenka was asked to weigh in on the age-old debate about the greatest men’s tennis player—Federer, Djokovic, or Nadal. Without hesitation, she replied: “Novak Djokovic, no doubt”.
In the same interview, Sabalenka revealed that Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek are the toughest opponents she has faced in her career. She also shared that the best match she ever played was against Swiatek in the 2023 Madrid Open final, where Sabalenka triumphed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to claim the title.
