Aryna Sabalenka is used to commanding attention on the tennis court, but in Brisbane, she proved she can steal the spotlight off it, too. The Belarusian tennis star, 27, walked away with another Brisbane International title and a viral moment that mixed elite sports, modern romance, and her fearless personality in one unforgettable scene.
After defeating Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk 6 4, 6 3 in just 79 minutes on Sunday, Jan. 11, Sabalenka lifted her third Brisbane trophy in four years. The win was dominant, but what followed was even more memorable. During her post-match interview, she looked straight into the camera and delivered a playful yet pointed message to her boyfriend, Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis.
She thanked her team for putting up with her intensity, calling herself tough to handle, then turned to Frangulis with a smile and said she hoped she could soon call him something else. The camera cut to him in the stands, laughing nervously and glancing around as the crowd reacted. Sabalenka was clearly enjoying every second of the moment, adding that she was just putting on a little extra pressure.
This was not just a cute joke. It was Aryna Sabalenka being exactly who she is. Bold, honest, and completely comfortable stating what she wants out of life, whether that is another tennis title or a future engagement ring.
A Tennis Champion Who Owns Her Voice
Sabalenka has never been one to fade into the background. Her powerful playing style, thunderous serve, and relentless aggression have made her one of the most dominant forces in women’s tennis. That same energy shows up in how she handles fame, relationships, and public moments.
Fans love that about her because it makes her feel human, not manufactured.
The tennis world is full of players who keep their private lives locked away. Sabalenka takes the opposite route. She lets her personality breathe in front of the cameras, and that authenticity is a big part of why people connect with her.
The US Open Moment That Started It All
Brisbane was not the first time Sabalenka put playful pressure on Frangulis. Back in August, during the US Open, she had a similar reaction after a couple in the crowd got engaged during her match. As the proposal unfolded in the stands, Sabalenka looked over at her boyfriend and joked that there was no pressure.
Later, she admitted that the moment was sweet and that she was trying not to smile too much while staying focused on the match. "I think it's the first time that someone proposed during my match, and it was a very sweet moment," she said in a post-match press conference. "But I I was just trying not to start smiling, you know, because it's very cute."
"I believe they are super happy right now, but I was trying to keep focusing on my game," she continued. "It was a great moment, and as I said on the court, I wish them to have a happy marriage." Those small moments painted a bigger picture. Sabalenka is not hiding from the idea of commitment. She is comfortable talking about it publicly, even while holding a racket and fighting for Grand Slam points.
Aryna Sabalenka knows what she wants. On the court, that means trophies, titles, and a place at the top of the rankings. Off the court, it means love, commitment, and a future that feels solid.
By calling out her boyfriend with a smile and a wink, she reminded everyone that ambition does not stop at sports. It shows up in relationships, in healing after heartbreak, and in daring to ask for what you want.