Daughters are fathers’ princesses, it is often said. The case of Aryna Sabalenka was no different. The Belarusian star shared an adorable bond with her father and looked up to him for greatness. Like Sabalenka, her father Sergey was also a sportsperson and played ice hockey. However, back in 2019, tragedy struck Sabalenka as her father passed away at the age of just 43. Sergey was suffering from meningitis, a serious infection that causes inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. While remembering her late father, Sabalenka shared a sweet childhood memory that made her follow her father.

Sabalenka shared a wonderful relationship with her father and it was due to him that she ventured into tennis. Earlier this week, she was involved in an interview with Flaunt magazine during which she opened up about an adorable incident from the past involving her father.

The World Number 1 revealed, “I think I was seven or nine; I don’t remember the exact age. We had just had a party in the house, and I looked up at him, and he was so funny. So happy. People loved him. I looked to him thinking, ‘I hope when I grow up I’ll have this personality.’ He was always focusing on the positive things rather than the negative.”

Indeed, Sabalenka has followed in her father’s footsteps and achieved the promises she had made to him. Earlier in her career, Sabalenka had vowed to win a couple of Grand Slam titles before she turned 25 and to become the best player in the world. The Belarusian star has achieved both, as she paid a wonderful tribute to her late father by achieving these feats.

Sabalenka has had to deal with some tough personal moments over the course of her career. Recently, she cited to keep some acts away from social media after her father passed away.

Aryna Sabalenka keeps away from filming while in the church

On the tennis court, Sabalenka often shares glimpses of her time with her fans on social media, even during her practice sessions. Additionally, she also sometimes posts behind-the-scenes moments of her during the tournaments. While she is an extrovert on the court, Sabalenka prefers to stay away from social media and public glare while performing some particular acts.

During an interview, she said, “I’m really open. But I have to say, when I lost my dad, from time to time, I would go to the church and put a candle for his memory and the memory of my grandfather. It’s something you never show on social media. I’m not gonna be the one in the church filming.”

On the tennis front, Sabalenka lost in the final of the recently-concluded Australian Open against Madison Keys. Nonetheless, she would look to overcome the disappointment and make a strong comeback in the upcoming tournaments. The World Number 1 will be seen in action at the Qatar Open, a WTA 1000 tournament.