The Tamesis
Who has a better spring than Aryna Sabalenka? She won the so-called “Sunshine Double”, winning prestigious tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. She sat front row at Gucci in Milan (she was announced as the brand’s ambassador in January); she got engaged; she even got the puppy she wanted.
Recently, we had the rare opportunity to sit down with the world No. 1 to talk about her style, her infamous intensity, her hard-won happiness, and how she thinks tennis needs to change. We also discuss her new weapon: the much-hyped Wilson Blade v10 racquet, which launches today. (For the uninitiated: Wilson’s Blade series debuted two decades ago and are the most used rackets on the professional tour.)
Fashion: Was the recent Gucci show in Milan your first fashion show?
Alina Sabalenka: No, I’ve been there a few times, but not as an ambassador. It felt special – it seemed like a big moment for Gucci.
Have you done more with them?
We’ve finished a few shoots, but everything else is still a work in progress. We’re definitely going to come up with some cool stuff – I’ve pitched my ideas to them and they seem to really embrace them. Just put it all together and set the time.
You seem to be more interested in your style lately – not just the early Gucci looks we’ve seen, but also your everyday wardrobe. Is this a conscious change?
I have been working with [stylist] Kara Welch, she changed the way I look at things so much. I love fashion and dressing up and having fun, but I feel like my style is more about classic pieces with maybe a few fun details – it’s kind of a balance, like a lot of things in my life. But I think simplicity is power. That’s my style.
How do you work with Carla?
She knew everything about me and we talked a lot and messaged each other every now and then, and I said, “Kara, it’s time to buy some new stuff,” and she just sent the whole suitcase. Of course, sometimes we also do fittings, especially for large events such as award ceremonies.
[At this point, we’re joined by the newest addition to Aryna’s traveling team—Ash, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel—who bounds into Aryna’s arms for a big hug as she beams.] How did you get this amazing puppy?
I’ve always wanted to get a dog, but touring with one is really difficult. But then I made a deal with my coach [Anton Dubrov] Last year at the U.S. Open – because obviously I needed help from my team: If I won the Open, I’d get a dog. So I win. Then I thought, “Okay – we should give him a name that has something to do with New York.” I won the game at Arthur Ashe Stadium, so I decided to call him Ashe.
He is very cute.
Of course he is!
Maybe I’m projecting here, but your game seems more fun, joyful, and less anxious lately – or is it just your Instagram that makes me feel that way?
I mean, I struggled a lot, but then at some point I realized that it’s really important to do things that bring you joy and to surround yourself with people who are fun, calm, and will be there for you no matter what. When you have the right people, you feel protected and you feel more relaxed and balanced in your life – it’s impossible to feel sad around these people. But my Instagram is like the real me – I’m not faking anything. I just want to show people that it’s possible to have fun under pressure. I feel it’s important to get the message out to kids that it’s okay to have fun, be disciplined, and work hard. It’s important to keep a balance. But it’s all true. I have great people around me. [Laughing.] I had many nice things to say about them – probably too many! I mean, our jokes are full of sarcasm.
