'Getting Really Close' Aryna Sabalenka Shocks With Comments About Retirement
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Aryna Sabalenka has discussed her possible retirement plans, admitting she does not want to wait until 35 to start a family.
Sabalenka might be in her prime right now. The WTA world No. 1's rivals will have a very challenging time trying to overtake her at the summit in the rankings if she improves further in the coming years.
Aside from a brief spell after the 2023 US Open, Iga Swiatek had dominated the No. 1 ranking since first reaching that position in April 2022. The Pole overtook Ashleigh Barty, who shocked fans worldwide by retiring in March that year.
Despite starting the North American hardcourt season last year before the US Open at world No. 3, Sabalenka eventually finished as the year-end No. 1 after titles at the Cincinnati Open, US Open, and the Wuhan Open.
Although Sabalenka thoroughly deserved to be the year-end No. 1, she was helped by Swiatek missing the entire 2024 Asian swing. It was later discovered that the 23-year-old could not compete because of being provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance.
Those achievements are an incredible turnaround compared to a few years ago when Sabalenka contemplated retirement. The two-time defending Australian Open champion has bounced back spectacularly from that moment.
Sabalenka's superb 2024 season is even more impressive because she had to overcome adversity. Her ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, died in March during the Miami Open after an apparent suicide.
The 26-year-old is no stranger to grief. She lost her father because of an illness when he was just 43. Sabalenka recently opened up in an interview about wishing she could have spent more time with him.
Although not confirmed by Sabalenka, the loss of her father might have impacted her want to start a family. The WTA star spoke about that and retirement plans during an interview with Australian Open TV.
Sabalenka said that, as a professional athlete, she felt close to retirement. The three-time Grand Slam champion mentioned how many athletes retire at 30. Barty's retirement occurred even earlier at the age of just 25.
"Being a professional athlete, I’m kind of like getting really close to retirement, can you believe that? People retire at 30."
The world No. 1 was then asked, more specifically, when she might retire. While admitting that it is a difficult question to answer, Sabalenka said her current plan is to have a child and then return to professional tennis.
"I don’t know, it’s a tough question. I hope I’ll have a family. I love kids, I want to have kids. I don’t want to have my first kid at 35. The way I see it, I really want to have a kid and then come back. Then I want my kid to see how hard you should work in life to get things."
Many players have had children and successfully returned to tennis. Serena Williams, Belinda Bencic, and Victoria Azarenka are high-profile examples. Sabalenka might join those names if her current plan becomes a reality.
For now, Sabalenka is focused on winning a third consecutive Australian Open title. She made a positive start by defeating the former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in straight sets.
