"They were like, 'Oh my God this is so stupid'" - Aryna Sabalenka sheds light on unique bond with her team, making them do TikTok dances & more

Aryna Sabalenka hilariously recounted how she convinced her team to recreate a TikTok skit despite their constant pleas to avoid it. She delved into the importance of having them by her side and how they have built trust over the years.

After a couple of disappointing results at the beginning of the North American hard-court swing, Sabalenka found her footing at the Cincinnati Open, winning the WTA 1000. She then reigned supreme at Flushing Meadows, defeating home favorite Jessica Pegula in the summit clash to lift the US Open trophy for the first time in her career.

Through her ups and downs, Aryna Sabaenka always has her team, comprised of coach Anton Dubrov, fitness trainer Jason Stacy, and hitting partner Andrei Vasilevski. The 26-year-old often posts photos, hilarious TikTok dance videos, and skits with them on her social media.

In an interview with Tennis Channel on 30th August, Sabalenka revealed how she put her team under pressure to recreate a hilarious TikTok skit, where it seemed as though her team was talking behind her back. Though her team found the idea 'stupid' and 'not funny', they eventually had to give up and be a part of the skit.

“I really put them under so much pressure to do it. They were like ‘Oh my god, this is so stupid! It’s not funny,’ and I was like, ‘But it’s exactly us! We have to do this video,’” Sabalenka said.

She said that the idea for the video came from real-life instances.

“Sometimes I look over at them and they’re having a chat but looking at me funny. I’m thinking, ‘For sure, they’re talking trash about me!’”

Aryna Sabalenka also talked about how she had been through so much with her team and also how they always believed in her and never doubted her success, mentioning that the trust she has now with her team wasn't built overnight.

“I just realized that we’ve been through a lot with this group of people, and they never left me or doubted my success. They always believed in me, and they were always there and talking to me, making sure I’m all right," she said.

“Trust is a process, like everything in life. It’s something you build over time,” she added.

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"Without them, I wouldn't exist and without me, you guys wouldn't exist" - Aryna Sabalenka thanked her team for their support after winning the 2024 US Open

Aryna Sabalenka celebrating with her team (Source: Getty)

After triumphing at the 2024 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka said she wouldn't exist without her team and joked that they wouldn't exist without her.

"Let's be honest, without them it wouldn't be me, I wouldn't exist and as I always say, without me, you guys wouldn't exist. So you're welcome," she said.

The Belarusian expressed gratitude towards her team for their unbridled support in her professional as well as in her personal life and expressed her love for them.

"No, no, I love you guys. Your support is everything. You are my family and I cannot imagine my tennis life and my personal life without you guys. I really love you. I say it, like not often, but I say it sometimes and I say it loud. Guys, I love you so much. Thank you for being you," she added.

Aryna Sabalenka qualified for the WTA year-end finals, becoming the second player to do so after Iga Swiatek.