Inspiring story of the day: “I lost my father four years ago. We had one dream that …” - How Aryna Sabalenka turned devastating loss and family grief into Grand Slam immortality

Aryna Sabalenka is now a four-time Grand Slam champion and the world No. 1, but her path to the top was shaped by a loss she still carries with her. Her father, Sergey Sabalenka, died suddenly in 2019 at 43, when Aryna was 21. Before his death, the two shared a dream: she would win Grand Slam titles before turning 25. The pressure of that promise became hard for her to handle, especially during her struggles with her serve. Yet she kept going. Her first Grand Slam came at the 2023 Australian Open, followed by three more major titles.