Aryna Sabalenka, the number-one women’s tennis player in the world, took center stage at Gucci’s Fifth Avenue flagship Monday night to talk about such topics as her friendship with Novak Djokovic; her history of arguing with coaches; her puppy Ash [named after Arthur Ashe Stadium]; her engagement; wellness and match-prep routine; her love of Demna, creative and artistic director at Gucci, and the fun she has working with stylist Karla Welch.
Sabalenka, who is a Gucci brand ambassador (and just signed with Moroccanoil as its newest global brand ambassador) and has four Grand Slam titles, is a two-time defending champion of the U.S. Open, and is gunning for a “three-peat” starting next week. She has been the number-one ranked player in the world for 90 weeks straight.
On stage, she was interviewed by Nicole Phelps, global director of Vogue Runway and Vogue Business and a cohost of “The Run-through With Vogue” podcast, and Corey Seymour, a senior editor at Vogue, who oversees much of the magazine’s tennis coverage.
Afterward, Sabalenka told WWD that she’s excited to be back in New York City. “It’s a beautiful city and everyone is motivated running somewhere. It really motivates me,” said the 28-year-old tennis star, who was born in Belarus, but now lives in Miami.
Sabalenka said she really likes the crowds at the U.S. Open. “When you get them on your side, they’re the best,” she said. On Tuesday, she was due to play mixed doubles with Djokovic, and will start her run for the U.S. Championship next week.
Talking about what she likes to wear on the court, Sabalenka said, “It depends on Nike [she has had an endorsement partnership with Nike since 2017] but I love when it’s classy, with small details, or if it’s completely opposite, something fun, something like out of your mind. Classy and crazy. My favorite colors are black, red, and white and some neutral colors. Whenever I have the opportunity to wear red, I go for it,” said Sabalenka, who became engaged to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis in March at Indian Wells, Calif.
Sabalenka was asked whether there’s any body part — such as her shoulders, arms or legs — she likes to show off when she dresses to go out at night. “I like to expose my legs,” said the 6-foot athlete.
She said winning still means the same to her as it did when she was starting out. “It’s never changed, which I think is a good thing. I always have been a passionate person about tennis. I’m really desperate for winning. Whenever I do that I still feel the same. I experience the same feeling [from even being a little kid],” she said.
Is there more pressure to defend the women’s title at the U.S. Open?
“I just try to focus on myself. I know that if I’ll be able to focus on myself, I’ll get my chances,” she said.
Explaining how the mixed doubles with Djokovic came about, Sabalenka said, “He is the one who asked me. Of course I said ‘yes’ because it’s always fun and it’s great to spend time on the court with Novak. He is always open for advice, and you learn from being around him on the court. So how can I say ‘no’?”
Does she think she might play Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, who are also mixed doubles partners?
“Who knows, it depends how we do,” said Sabalenka.
Finally, when asked what she’s most looking forward to in the next two weeks, Sabalenka said, “I just want to have fun, and I’m excited for the fights that the U.S. Open is going to bring.”
The fights?
“The battles, I’m excited to play some tennis,” she said.
