Home/Tennis

USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Aryna Sabalenka has taken the season’s opening Grand Slam event by storm. The Belarusian tennis star swept aside the likes of Amanda Anisimova and Lesia Tsurenko to secure a place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. But do you know that the defending champion holds a superstitious belief that might have helped her clinch some initial round victories?

In her fourth-round match, Sabalenka recently overcame her unseeded American opponent, Anisimova, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Following another brilliant win in Melbourne Park, the current world No. 2 player brought to light her new superstitious ‘routine’ with her physiotherapist.

Aryna Sabalenka’s superstitious belief at the Australian Open

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

When Sabalenka’s physiotherapist, Jason Stacy, appeared on screen during her fourth-round match, many speculated that he might have a tattoo because of something scribbled on his head. Notably, in her post-match conference, the WTA superstar was asked if she had come up with a ‘new routine’ with her strength and conditioning trainer.

USA Today via Reuters

The reporter asked, “When the camera cut to Jason’s head, I thought he might have had a tattoo. How did this come about? Was it your idea?” In her honest response, Sabalenka said, “I don’t know. Somehow I decided to start drawing my signature on his head (smiling).”

During the candid conversation, the defending champion also disclosed that she scribbled her physiotherapist’s head before her first-round match against Ella Seidel.  She stated, “I did it before the first match. Now it’s a routine. Every time he’s not super happy that I’m going to do that. He’s like, ‘Okay, anything for the win.’ I’m like, Thank you.” Aside from drawing her signature on Stacy’s head, Sabalenka pulled off another dangerous act with her physiotherapist.

Sabalenka is keeping herself entertained in Melbourne

The official Twitter page of the Tennis Letter recently shared a video clip of the WTA superstar pulling off a behind-the-scenes antic with Jason Stacy. Before her fourth-round match at the Margaret Court Arena, Sabalenka was sighted putting a bottle on her physiotherapist’s head before kicking it off with her amazing fitness and talent.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

While keeping up with her superstitious routine, the second-seeded Belarusian player has now reached the quarterfinals. She will look to continue her dominance by locking horns with world number eleven Barbora Krejcikova in her next match.

READ MORE- Tennis Beauty Paula Badosa’s Bold and Courageous Photo Sparks Sizzling Reactions From Boyfriend, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Do you think that the Belarusian tennis star will once again clinch the Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park? Let us know in the comments section.

WATCH THIS STORY | Serena Williams pays tribute to Roger Federer.