The roar of a tiger resonates in the life of Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian tennis sensation, both on and off the court. The world number one’s fierce spirit is not just revealed through her tenacious game, but is also etched on her left arm in the form of a tiger tattoo. “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 passionately expressed about her tattoo. A tribute to the year of her birth, 1998 – the year of the tiger, Sabalenka’s powerful game truly encapsulates the spirit of this majestic animal.
Now, the tiger spirit is escaping the confines of the court, thanks to Sabalenka’s beau, Georgios Frangulis. The founder of the popular superfood brand Oakberry, known for their smoothies and acai bowls, Frangulis is not just Sabalenka’s boyfriend but also her business partner. Since kindling their relationship in early 2024, Sabalenka signed a two-year contract becoming the ambassador of the health-conscious brand.
Their partnership now takes a tantalizing turn. On March 3, Oakberry unveiled a new signature acai bowl, the ‘tiger bowl’. Named after the 3-time Grand Slam champion, this bowl is a rich amalgamation of whey protein, peanut butter, and granola, topped with succulent strawberries. This tribute to Sabalenka isn’t the first from Oakberry. They previously introduced the ‘Power Serve Bowl’ in August 2024, right before the U.S Open.
Thrilled about her second collaboration with Oakberry, Sabalenka commented, “I play with power and passion, and love how Oakberry continues to recharge and energize me.” With the Indian Wells and the Miami Open on the horizon, she’s eager to introduce her new signature Tiger Bowl. The bowl, custom-made to her taste, marries bold flavors and textures with the best nutrients. Sabalenka hopes it will inspire fans to dream big and go all in.
For those keen to taste the Tiger Bowl, it will be available nationwide, with a special 30% discount on Oakberry’s app during Sabalenka’s games at the Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
On the court, Sabalenka is gearing up for the Indian Wells. After a dip in form and a surprise defeat in the second round of the Qatar Open, she is ready to bounce back. Despite the setbacks, she remains the reigning top WTA player, comfortably leading with 9076 points, ahead of Iga Swiatek with 7985 points.
The path at Indian Wells seems promising for Sabalenka. With a first-round bye, she will play against the winner of the Anna Blinkova and McKartney Kessler match in the second round. As she advances, she might face her Qatar Open rival Ekaterina Alexandrova or Haddad Maia. Potential challenges await in the quarterfinals against Jasmine Paolini or Daria Kasatkina, and a possible semi-final clash with Coco Gauff. If she reaches the final, she might face off against one of her main rivals, Iga Swiatek.
Although Sabalenka has never clinched the title at the Indian Wells, she came close in 2020, finishing as runner-up. Will the ‘tigress’ turn the tables this time and claim the victory? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – her tiger spirit is alive and roaring, on and off the court.