Aryna Sabalenka was born in Minsk, Belarus, to Sergey Sabalenka, a hockey player, and Yulia Sabalenka. Her early life was shaped by a strong family environment and the athletic influence of her father, fostering her competitive spirit from a young age. It was by a bit of chance that she stumbled into tennis, as her dad spotted tennis courts while driving one day and decided she should try it.

Sabalenka began her professional tennis career in 2012, playing primarily on the ITF circuit. These early years were crucial for her development, providing her with invaluable experience and exposure to the competitive world of professional tennis. She started honing her aggressive style and working her way up the rankings.

2017 marked a significant breakthrough for Sabalenka. She reached her first WTA final at the Tianjin Open, demonstrating her potential to compete at the highest level. This performance propelled her into the top 100, solidifying her presence on the WTA tour.

Sabalenka captured her first two WTA titles in 2018, winning the New Haven Open and the Wuhan Open. The Wuhan Open victory was particularly notable, as it was a Premier 5 event, showcasing her ability to compete against and defeat top-ranked players and demonstrating that she could win at the most prestigious tournaments outside of the Grand Slams.

In 2019, Sabalenka reached the World No. 9 in the WTA rankings after winning the WTA Elite Trophy in China, marking her top 10 debut. She also claimed the US Open Women's Doubles title with Elise Mertens, demonstrating her versatility and ability to excel in both singles and doubles competitions. This period solidified her position as a top player in the world.

2021 saw Sabalenka continue her strong performance, securing her first two WTA 1000 titles in Abu Dhabi and Madrid. Her continued consistency and aggressive play style helped her retain her spot at the top of the women's game, but still fell short of her ultimate goal - a singles Grand Slam.

Sabalenka achieved a major career milestone by winning the 2023 Australian Open, her first Grand Slam singles title. Defeating Elena Rybakina in a thrilling final, she demonstrated her mental fortitude and delivered on the promise she had shown throughout her career. This victory cemented her status as one of the leading players in women's tennis.

Following Iga Swiatek's fourth-round defeat at the US Open 2023, Sabalenka was guaranteed the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career. This was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and consistent performance, making her the second Belarusian woman to achieve the top spot in the WTA rankings after Victoria Azarenka.