Aryna Sabalenka had a team member with a prominent head tattoo on display during the 2024 US Open final, and she was asked about it after the win over Jessica Pegula.
The 2024 US Open final was contested between Pegula and Sabalenka. It was a brilliant match between two very good tennis players, but it was Sabalenka who ultimately found the higher level and won the match.
The Belarusian demonstrated her fearless approach to the game. It's something that's been a part of her game forever, but only in recent years was she able to perfect it enough to become one of the best players in the world and arguably the most dominant tennis player when she's playing at her best.
Pegula did a great job battling her but still came up short. Another interesting aspect of the final was that it was between two players who both have tattoos. It might not seem significant, but there is a story behind it.
Sabalenka sports a lion tattoo on her inner forearm, which is meant to symbolize her fearless approach to the sport. She's had it for years, and it's prominently featured and quite easy to spot.
Pegula also has a tattoo on her body. However, the most interesting tattoo of the final wasn't Pegula's or Sabalenka's. One of Sabalenka's team members, Jason Stacy, her fitness coach, promised her that he would get the same, temporary, tattoo she has on his head if she made the final.
By beating Emma Navarro in straight sets, Sabalenka made the final, and the fitness coach followed up on his promise and got it done. Since Stacy shaves his head, the tattoo was very easy to spot, and it created a stir on social media as cameras during the final often panned towards him and, more noticeably, his head tattoo.
Of course, Sabalenka was asked about it after the match, and she said that it was a promise made by him, which he followed up on as a good sport. She wished the tattoo was a little bit lower on the forehead because she would find it a bit cooler, but nonetheless, the tattoo stole the show, which is impressive considering the high quality of the final.
"Jason promised me if I make it to the finals, he’s gonna put it on his forehead. I wish it was a little bit lower… it would be cooler right?"
The most important detail for her and the team was getting the trophy, which they all took part in holding and taking pictures with. The picture of her fitness coach with the trophy and the head tattoo made the waves on social media as well.
Stacy has been involved in multiple similar bets with Sabalenka, and it could become a tradition to get tattoos whenever Sablaenka makes a final and wins a trophy, even though this wouldn't be the first time something like that would happen in tennis.
Dominic Thiem's mother notably gets a tattoo for every trophy he wins, but sadly, she won't be able to add many more as the Austrian will retire from the sport this year.
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