Aryna Sabalenka is one of the first semifinalists of the Australian Open who will look to defeat Coco Gauff and move to the finals. The Belarusian beauty slid past her opponents and has not dropped a set yet. Since 2020, she has consistently featured in the top 5. Her efforts to rise to the top have earned her the nickname ‘The Tiger’. However, there is a bigger story behind this name.

The nickname of the player is an ode to her tattoo, which represents a roaring tiger on her arm. While she has internalized the nickname, there is an interesting backstory to it as well.

The backstory of the tiger tattoo on Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka has shown her talent in the sport as she breezed past each opponent in the ongoing Australian Open. Her nickname, ‘The Tiger’, is proving to be correct as she demolishes everyone in her sight. Although the tattoo is one of the most well-known aspects of the player, she shared the significance of the inkwork. 

Sabalenka said, “I was born the year of the tiger. I was dating a guy covered in tattoos..I thought a tiger suits me. I’m a fighter. I never give up. I hated it at 1st, so did my parents. My mom didn’t speak to me for a week. She said, ‘What the f*** is this?’😂”

Sabalenka was born in 1998, which was the year of the tiger. Therefore, getting a tattoo of a tiger was a no-brainer. When she first showed it to her father, he laughed at her. Furthermore, her mother was too angry and didn’t talk to her for a week. While she did not love her choice initially, she looks at it rather fondly now.

Shedding more light on the importance of the tattoo, Aryna Sabalenka said, “It’s special as sometimes I need to remind myself that I am the tigress and I need to fight till the end. I just put it on my arm to make sure I can see it every time and be on fire.” 

Sabalenka will need the fire if she aims to take revenge on Coco Gauff, who had defeated her in the US Open final last year. Additionally, she is on a title defense mission. The Australian Open title has not been defended successfully in the WTA since Victoria Azarenka won it in 2012 and 2013.

Read More – Who Is Aryna Sabalenka’s Teammate That Kick-Started a Whole New Superstition at the Australian Open?

Aryna Sabalenka will certainly aim to earn her second Grand Slam victory and further challenge the throne of Iga Swiatek. Will she be ‘The Tiger’ and lift the trophy to successfully defend it?

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