World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is enjoying one of the best seasons of her career in 2026. The Belarusian star has already achieved the rare "Sunshine Double" by winning both the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open titles. She has built a strong lead of over 1,500 points in the WTA rankings. Her powerful form has made her the player to beat this year on the women's tour.
Birthday Celebrations
Off the court, Sabalenka had another special moment to celebrate. The tennis star turned 28 on Tuesday. She marked the occasion with close friends and family. Social media was filled with warm messages for the Belarusian. The most touching wishes came from her fiancé Georgios Frangulis and her close friend Paula Badosa, showing her strong support system during this successful phase.
Fiancé's Romantic Tribute
Aryna Sabalenka's fiancé, Georgios Frangulis, shared romantic stories on Instagram. In one post, he described her as the most special person, the love of his life, and admired her fun personality. He also shared a candid moment of the couple walking together, expressing how fortunate he feels to have her beside him. In another story, he wrote how lucky he is to have her in his life. Sabalenka later reposted these stories. The couple has been together since 2024 and recently announced their engagement in March 2026. Their relationship has grown stronger over time. The couple often post glimpses of their life together. Sabalenka also shared pictures from her birthday. In a hilarious reel, she was seen running away from a cake with the "28" candle.
Paula Badosa's Heartfelt Message
Meanwhile, Sabalenka's close friend Paula Badosa also celebrated the occasion online. She shared a collection of memorable moments from their time together. These included pictures from matches, practice sessions, and off-court outings. In her Instagram story, Badosa highlighted their journey as friends. She expressed excitement about creating more memories together in the future. The two players have shared a strong bond since 2022. They even played doubles together at the Miami Open 2022. What started as a casual partnership soon turned into a close friendship.
On-Court Focus
On the court, Aryna Sabalenka will now shift her focus to the Italian Open. She had an early quarterfinal exit from the Madrid Open. As a top seed, she will begin her campaign with a first-round bye in Rome.
