Aryna Sabalenka is a professional tennis player from the country of Belarus. She was born on May 5, 1998, in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus

Aryna Sabalenka’s powerful baseline game and relentless drive have made her one of the most talked-about stars in women’s tennis. But did you know that before she became a favorite to win the French Open, she once faced serious backlash over something as small as a water bottle?

Back in 2018 at the China Open, emotions were running high for Sabalenka. Frustrated during a changeover, she waved an empty water bottle in the direction of a ball boy, seemingly expecting him to take it. When he didn’t respond quickly enough, Sabalenka dropped the bottle on the court in frustration. Cameras caught the moment—and the internet quickly reacted.

Critics slammed her for what appeared to be disrespectful behavior, and the clip spread fast on social media. But to her credit, Sabalenka didn’t ignore the controversy. She publicly apologized shortly after, calling the incident “emotional” and saying, “I didn’t even remember doing that… now I will never do it again. I will try to be nice to the ball boys, even if they are so slow.”

That was a turning point. Since then, Sabalenka has shown tremendous maturity—not just in how she handles pressure, but also in her respect for the game and those who support it. Fast forward to today, and the same woman who once made headlines for a water bottle is now making waves as a top contender at Roland-Garros.

With her fierce groundstrokes, improved court composure, and ability to grind out long rallies on clay, Sabalenka is no longer just a powerhouse—she’s a complete player. And if she keeps this momentum, don’t be surprised if she hoists the French Open trophy in Paris.

From controversy to champion? That’s the kind of comeback story that defines greatness.

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