Aryna Sabalenka, the current World No. 1 in women’s tennis, has recently opened up about her future plans, expressing a desire to start a family before the age of 35. At 26, Sabalenka is contemplating the timing of her retirement, aiming to balance her professional career with personal aspirations.
In a candid discussion, Sabalenka reflected on her age and the typical retirement timeline for professional athletes. She stated, “Oh my god, I’m 27 this year. I played an exhibition with Mirra Andreeva and I’m nine years older than her.” She further added, “Being a professional athlete, I’m kind of getting really close to my retirement, can you believe that? 27. People retire at like 30.”
Sabalenka emphasized her intention to have children at a younger age, saying, “I hope I’ll have family; I’ll have kids – I want to have kids. I don’t want to have my first kid at 35, you know.” She also expressed a desire to return to tennis after starting a family, stating, “The way I see it I really want to have a kid and then come back and I want my kid to see how hard you should work in life to get things.”
Despite these personal aspirations, Sabalenka remains committed to her tennis career. She affirmed, “Now I am so into this sport and I think I’m not done yet. I am excited to be back.”
Sabalenka’s recent performances have been impressive. She began her campaign for a third consecutive Australian Open title by defeating Sloane Stephens. As a three-time Grand Slam winner, she continues to be a formidable presence on the court.
Balancing a professional sports career with personal life decisions is a challenge many athletes face. Sabalenka’s openness about her future plans provides insight into the considerations top athletes must weigh as they navigate their careers and personal aspirations.
For more insights into Aryna Sabalenka’s thoughts on retirement and family, you can watch the following video:
