In a refreshingly honest revelation, reigning world number one Aryna Sabalenka has mapped out her personal and professional aspirations, pinpointing the exact age she hopes to embrace motherhood. The Belarusian tennis powerhouse, currently in stellar form after clinching the Brisbane International title, shared these intimate details just days before the commencement of the Australian Open 2026.
Sabalenka's Evolving Perspective on Family Planning
During a recent conversation with First&Red, Sabalenka traced the evolution of her thoughts on starting a family. She confessed that her teenage dream was to have children very early in life. "It was my dream, but I understood that it wasn't realistic and thought it would be great to have a baby early. In the morning when your mother is young and you can live with her on one wave," Sabalenka reflected on her past mindset.
At 18, she even calculated that having her first child at 25 would be ideal. However, a decade of life and career experience has brought a significant shift. "But now I think that giving birth is probably best when you are 32 because I always dreamed about having a big family," the champion stated, highlighting her desire for three or four children while acknowledging the practical challenges of timing.
She added a note of reassurance about her health, confirming, "I've done all tests and everything is fine." Sabalenka also mentioned that the topic of family is occasionally discussed within her close-knit team.
Dominant Form on Court Ahead of Melbourne
This personal disclosure comes at a peak moment in Sabalenka's illustrious career. She has stormed into the 2026 season, capturing the Brisbane International trophy in commanding fashion. Her path to the title was flawless; she did not drop a single set throughout the entire tournament.
On her way to the final, she overcame formidable opponents including Madison Keys and Karolina Muchova. In the championship match, she defeated Marta Kostyuk, showcasing the formidable power and precision that makes her the player to beat. This victory marked the 22nd WTA title of her career, her fifth on Australian soil, and her second in Brisbane.
Demonstrating true sportsmanship, Sabalenka praised her final opponent during the trophy ceremony, saying, "I want to start with congratulating Marta and her team on an incredible start to the season. I hope that we're going to meet each other many more times in the finals to show great tennis."
Balancing Grand Slam Ambitions with Life Goals
With confidence soaring, Sabalenka's immediate focus is locked on the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne. Her performance in Brisbane has firmly established her as one of the top favourites for the Australian Open crown. Yet, amidst this professional zenith, she has made it unequivocally clear that building a family remains a cornerstone of her future vision.
Her journey reflects a modern athlete's narrative—juggling the relentless pursuit of sporting excellence with deeply personal life milestones. By openly discussing her planned timeline, Sabalenka breaks away from traditional stereotypes, presenting a balanced picture where championship trophies and family dreams can coexist on a thoughtfully charted timeline.
As the tennis world watches her campaign in Melbourne, fans now also understand the personal goal waiting for her on the horizon: the aspiration to become a mother at the age of 32, after having already cemented a legendary status in the sport she dominates.
