Aryna Sabalenka is hailing Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka as “very inspirational” figures as they have helped the 25-year-old believe that she could also one day give birth and then make a very strong post-pregnancy comeback to tennis.
Famously, Williams, now 42, was eight weeks into her pregnancy when she won the 2017 Australian Open. When Williams returned to action in 2018, she made the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open that year, as well as reached the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2019. Although Williams went 0-4 in those four Grand Slam finals, it was still undoubtedly a great post-pregnancy comeback.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Azarenka, 34, welcomed her first son Leo in 2016. After giving birth, former world No. 1 Azarenka was able to regain her old form as most notably she ended as runner-up to Naomi Osaka in the 2020 US Open final.
“I definitely think Victoria, Serena, they really inspired other girls to have a baby and come back, play on the high level. Yeah, I definitely think they’re inspiring so many girls, so many female athletes,” Sabalenka said in Brisbane.
Aryna Sabalenka and Serena Williams © Getty Images Sport – Kevork Djansezian
Sabalenka has a boyfriend
Sabalenka, ranked at No. 2 in the world, is currently dating former Belarusian hockey player Konstantin Koltsov. In 2021 June, Sabalenka went public with her relationship after posting a selfie with Koltsov on her Instagram account.
Koltsov, who is 42 years old, has three kids from previous relationships. Last year, Sabalenka was asked during a Q&A session on Instagram: “Do you think you’ll be an amazing stepmother?” Sabalenka replied by posting a selfie with Stefan, one of Koltsov’s sons, and wrote: “I don’t know… I guess yes. Stefan loves me.”
Aryna Sabalenka and Konstantin Koltsov© Aryna Sabalenka – Instagram
Judging by Sabalenka’s latest comments, it definitely seems that the 25-year-old Belarusian is planning on becoming a mother at some point. If that happens, Sabalenka could potentially another story of a strong post-pregnancy return on the WTA Tour.