Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, recently celebrated her inclusion in a tribute by sports apparel giant, Nike, to ten of the most outstanding female athletes in various sporting disciplines. The Belarusian star, who has been associated with Nike for a considerable period and boasts an all-inclusive apparel partnership with the brand, took to social media to share her joy and pride.
This tribute by Nike isn’t a minor accomplishment. It signifies Sabalenka’s extraordinary journey and the consistent support she has received over the years, encouraging her to relentlessly chase her dreams.
In 2019, Sabalenka suffered a tragic loss when her father passed away. Since then, her mother, Yulia, has become her primary pillar of support, showering her with endless love and care, enabling her to remain focused on her goals. Her mother’s unwavering faith in her became evident when Sabalenka retained her Australian Open title last year, triumphing over Qinwen Zheng in straight sets. Her mother’s Instagram post, showcasing her trophies with a caption hinting at her ambitious dreams for her daughter, speaks volumes about her belief in Sabalenka’s potential.
In a heartwarming tribute to her family, Sabalenka dedicated her first US Open title to them. She emphasized her commitment to honoring her family name in the history of tennis, expressing her pride in her family’s unwavering belief in her dream.
Sabalenka’s remarkable achievements over the last year and a half made her a natural choice for Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ T-shirt campaign. Alongside other sports greats like Caitlin Clark, Jordan Chiles, Alexia Putellas, Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, Juju Watkins, Sophia Smith, A’ja Wilson, and Sha’Carri Richardson, Sabalenka was featured prominently, a fact she was understandably thrilled about.
Nike’s celebration of Sabalenka’s significant contributions to the sports world wasn’t limited to this campaign. Prior to the 2025 Australian Open, they unveiled a creative tribute to her dynamic playing style, featuring her in a 40-second commercial. During Super Bowl LIX, they aired their new anthem, “So Win”, starring female athletes, including Sabalenka, during the prime-time slot.
Despite these highlights, Sabalenka’s journey has not been without its lows. On the brink of becoming only the sixth woman and the first since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win the AO title for the third consecutive year, she was defeated by America’s Madison Keys. The disappointment was evident when she smashed her racket against the ground, a moment that was captured in the Super Bowl commercial.
Reflecting on this emotional outburst, Sabalenka confessed that the frustration of coming so close to achieving something extraordinary had overwhelmed her. She spoke candidly about her struggle to remain respectful and composed during her concession speech.
Since her defeat in the AO finals, Sabalenka has struggled to make her mark in subsequent tournaments, with early exits in Doha and Dubai. In a recent interview, she admitted to her difficulties on court, citing physical exhaustion and a lack of motivation. She candidly criticized her decision-making on court and confessed to not being at her best.
As she grapples with this challenging phase, the tribute from Nike could serve as a timely morale booster, reminding her of her exceptional abilities. It remains to be seen if Sabalenka can leverage this recognition to reinvigorate her performance for the rest of the season.
