Achieving the pinnacle of professional tennis, winning Grand Slams, climbing to the top of the rankings, and touring the globe is no small feat. For Aryna Sabalenka, the WTA star from Minsk, Belarus, the journey has been extraordinary. Reflecting after her 2023 Madrid Open triumph, she said, “If someone would say I would be a Grand Slam champion and I would be No.2 in the world and that I would be winning titles on clay, I would have thought, ‘I don’t know, it’s a lot of work to do and I’m not sure that I’m capable of this.’”

Now, with 9610 points, a WTA Finals spot in Riyadh, and a quarterfinal berth at the Wuhan Open, Sabalenka shares a dream come true moment, a jiff she once only dared to imagine. Recently crowned Open champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her remarkable Wuhan Open winning streak to 19 matches on Thursday, defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event. The Belarusian, chasing a record fourth Wuhan title, once again displayed the poise and power that have defined her 2025 season.

Yet, beyond the statistics and victories, Sabalenka reflected on a moment she had long dreamed of achieving. After her triumph, she was asked about the rush of confidence she feels walking onto center court with her iconic background music, greeted by cheering fans. “I dreamed my whole life for these moments. It really feels amazing. It gives me that boost of energy to go out and compete, fight, and chase my dreams,” she said, capturing the passion and joy that fuel her dominance.

The Belarusian’s form has steadily improved since her first-round victory over Rebecca Sramkova (4-6, 6-3, 6-1), where she clawed back from a set down. Against Samsonova, she controlled rallies with precision, hitting with authority from the baseline and maintaining the mental edge that has made her virtually untouchable in Wuhan. 

Her dominant display ensured a straight-sets win, advancing her to the quarterfinals, where she will face either Elena Rybakina or Linda Noskova, the latter having reached her first WTA 1000 final in Beijing.

But do you think her current success comes without challenges? Absolutely not! She recently delved into the major obstacles she continues to face in the relentless grind of professional tennis.

Aryna Sabalenka opens up about handling online hate

The pressure on professional athletes isn’t limited to the court; the scrutiny from fans can be relentless and at times ruthless. Just recently, Iga Swiatek faced a storm of criticism following her shocking exit from the China Open against Emma Navarro. From scathing comments to biting jabs, the Pole encountered it all. Yet, instead of letting it weigh her down, she transformed the experience into a teachable moment, with Mental Health Day on the horizon.

Following that spirit, Aryna Sabalenka opened up about the online abuse she faces as one of the world’s top tennis stars, just ahead of her WTA 1000 return in Wuhan. The Belarusian acknowledged the challenges that come with high-profile success.

“Well, I think all of us go through a lot of hate,” Sabalenka said candidly. “Throughout my career, I faced a lot of hate and a lot of different hate for different reasons.”

She shared her method of coping. “So I figured that the more you give attention to that, the more it takes energy from you. I feel like it’s better to ignore it, but sometimes, of course, I see those messages, and out of curiosity, I go to the page of the person who messaged me. Sometimes I’m shocked.”

With the quarterfinals now within reach, Sabalenka aims to maximize her run at Wuhan, channeling focus, skill, and determination.

Despite the challenging weather conditions in China, it will be her grit, hunger, and unshakable mindset that propel her forward, ensuring that her story of resilience continues to unfold as the tournament progresses.