Aryna Sabalenka relishes being treated like a "queen" after winning WTA Player of the Year award, thanks fans for their support
Aryna Sabalenka recently expressed her gratitude to fans for their votes, which helped her secure the 2024 WTA Player of the Year award. The hard-hitting Belarusian also playfully shared the royal treatment she received after her recent achievement.
Sabalenka started her 2024 season with a strong showing as the runner-up at the Brisbane International. She then delivered a commanding performance at the Australian Open, becoming the first woman since her compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2013 to successfully defend the title.
Although Sabalenka's momentum was disrupted during the grass-court swing, she rebounded impressively, winning the Cincinnati Open and clinching her third Major at the US Open. Her last title of the season came at the Wuhan Open, where she defeated Zheng Qinwen in the final.
In October, the 26-year-old achieved an impressive 56-14 win-loss record and claimed the World No. 1 ranking from Iga Swiatek. She closed the season as the year-end World No. 1 for the first time in her career.
A dominant season recently earned the World No. 1 her first-ever WTA Player of the Year award. The WTA (Women's Tennis Association) recently posted a video on their Instagram story featuring Aryna Sabalenka thanking fans for their support. Sabalenka later reshared the video on her Instagram story.
"Hi guys I am super happy to win the award. Thank you so much for voting for me. I really appreciate for all of the votes and thank you so much for the support throughout the year. It's been a great year for me and I really appreciate for all the support. Thank you!" She said.
During the video shoot, Sabalenka was handed a ball can, an energy drink, a hand towel, and a tennis racket, with those presenting them simultaneously bowing as though she were receiving royal treatment.
"Treating me like a queen," she captioned.
In addition to Sabalenka, Emma Navarro was awarded Most Improved Player, Paula Badosa received the Comeback Player honor, Lulu Sun won the Newcomer of the Year, and Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini won the 'Doubles Team of the Year.'
Aryna Sabalenka has started preparing for the 2025 season, shared glimpses of her routine
Aryna Sabalenka certainly enjoyed a joyful off-season getaway with her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis. However, she didn't let her training slip during the break.
In a video shared by Sabalenka a few days ago from her vacation in Dubai, she demonstrated that her training didn't stop during the break. The Belarusian tennis star began her day with a nutritious breakfast and fresh juice, before engaging in a practice session while wearing her "tiger kicks.
She then took some time to relax and enjoy her free moments, before returning in the evening for another training session.
Sabalenka is scheduled to start her 2025 season at the Brisbane International, where she finished as the runner-up in 2024. The 26-year-old is one of four Top-10 players listed on the entery list of the WTA 500 event, which will start on December 29.