“I’m s*xy and I know it,” Aryna Sabalenka, WTA’s no. 6 player proclaimed, giving a big grin, when a few comments were made about her provocative outfit and photoshoot. Next she would pose in a ‘see-thru’ dress showing a bikini set underneath. Is this the beginning of another work situation that may be on the horizon?
It appears that while the sport that many have played since children has become their main livelihood, there are players that take a gradual sidebar and decide to model in conjunction with playing their sport on tour. It shows that they aren’t a one-dimentsional person giving them a chance to exhibit that other side to the community as well as to themselves.
Tennis comrade Sloane Stephens took the ‘near bare’ look when she modeled in the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot. “We see you girl,” she had commented on her social media page to lady player Sabalenka upon seeing her shoots and poses. There may be many reasons why the photoshoots are happening. It’s truely a diversion from constant playing on tour, but also many have nagging injuries that modeling is really a relief for the moment of causing more injury to their well sculptured bodies.
Sabalenka’s glamorous side was aĀ surprise to her fans and comrade players alike. “S*xy lady”, Anastasia Pivovarova, a former WTA player commented on Instagram. Stephens had admitted that she was astonished when chosen to be on the Sports Illustrated cover and confessed that “I have so much respect for the models….modeling is fun but extremely challenging work.” The highly sensual attire for photoshoots as well as what a player chooses to wear on their timeĀ may dictate how they are received when performing on a tennis court. The reception the players get could be to their supportive advantage too, but then again depending on the performance they show. If the player has a dictating, high level game, then all is good. But if not, fans may not be very sympathetic and support needed might not be given. Everyone goes out to tennis tournaments to see a good match no matter what goes on in a players’ personal life.
It’s the idea of getting what you pay for that matters the most. A player performing at the utmost level, is an entertaining game worth seeing. The makeup and revealing outfits will continue to make an impression to everyone and it will send a refreshing appeal to fans and the tennis community. Magazine cover photos, layouts and any print media are fine. But at the end of the day it’s not only the appearance on a magazine cover or wearing sensual clothes on their time off but how they perform on the court. The two combined are superior at any cost. One enhances the other but together it’s all good especially for the player to feel the fansĀ don’t take them for granted.
Aryna Sabalenka is simply following what her other female tennis comrades have did or are doing and that is show their sensual side. Eugenie Bouchard, Paula Badosa, Camila Giorgi and a host of other tennis players should feel more comfortable showing their other beautiful side. It’s appreciated and enjoyed just as when they get on that court and become a dominant, winning player showing the skills they’ve developed and know how to use them to their advantage.