With a stunning 7-5, 6-2 win over fourth seed Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka claimed her first-ever Miami Open title last month. She didn’t drop a single set all fortnight and breezed past Danielle Collins, Qinwen Zheng, and Jasmine Paolini along the way. That marked her 8th WTA 1000 title and 19th career singles title. But what made it extra sweet? Well, it’s the venue itself. Miami is home for Sabalenka.“I enjoyed playing here, every minute of it,” she said after lifting the trophy. Even though a week has passed since the finale, the Belarusian is still not done soaking in the madness. She recently met a soccer legend in her off time!

It’s no secret—Miami’s become the ultimate playground for global sports icons. With Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami CF, star sightings have become a routine. From soccer and tennis to basketball and the NFL, you never know who might show up next. Just a few days ago, Messi popped up at the Miami Open to catch Novak Djokovic in action.

Now it was Sabalenka’s turn to step into Messi’s world. Fresh off her Miami Open triumph, she headed straight to Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium. And there was the team owner, David Beckham himself, waiting with a surprise. He handed the World No.1 Inter Miami’s iconic pink jersey, complete with the number 1 on the back. Naturally, she was thrilled.“I like the number,” Sabalenka joked in a video captured by Inter Miami’s official social media page. Later, she added, “It’s so good to be at home, and winning the title is just amazing, and now getting to attend another sport. I just feel so happy right now.”

The World No. 1 posted about it on her Instagram too, sharing snapshots from the night. Her caption? “Kickin’ it @intermiamicf game with the ⚽️👑 @davidbeckham.” In the post, she could be seen posing with Beckham, proudly holding up her personalized jersey. She also met Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and watched the game alongside fellow Belarusian tennis player Andrei Vasilevski and Miami-based entrepreneur David Grutman.

This isn’t the first time Sabalenka’s brushed shoulders with celebrities. After winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 Australian Open, she made an appearance at the Vogue World event. Following her US Open victory, the 26-year-old hit New York Fashion Week in 2024. “This is the dream life,” she said. “I really love my job for the opportunities to meet great people and learn from the greatest people in the world.”

But now, it’s back to business. The 3-time Grand Slam champion is ready to slide on the clay court.

Aryna Sabalenka is “ready to go” and win on the clay courts

Aryna Sabalenka is stepping into the clay season for the first time as the top-ranked player on tour. Since 2022, this stretch has belonged to Iga Swiatek. The Pole has five major titles to her name, four of them on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Sabalenka, in contrast, has won three Grand Slam titles, all on hard courts. She’s notched up 28 combined wins at the Australian Open and the US Open. That’s more than her 16 wins at Roland Garros and 11 at Wimbledon.

That sets up an interesting stretch ahead. The Belarusian may not be as dominant on clay, but she’s no pushover either. She’s reached seven finals on the surface and won two titles. Her head-to-head against Swiatek on clay is 1-5, but she did have match points against the World No.2 in their Madrid final last year.

Sabalenka knows she’s got work to do, but she’s confident.“I think physically I’m ready to go,” she said. “Physically, I’m strong, and I’m not rushing the point and I know I can stay in the point for how long I need. I think that’s the key, because I think I have got everything to be a good player on the clay courts.”

The Belarusian will start her clay campaign at the Stuttgart Open, also known as the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, which kicks off on April 14. With the Miami title in the bag and momentum on her side, Sabalenka is ready for the dirt. Will she finally crack the clay code and shake up Swiatek’s stronghold?