Sabalenka Reveals the Childhood Crush That Shaped Her Career — Fans Are Shocked It’s a Woman
In a recent podcast appearance, Aryna Sabalenka opened up about an unexpected inspiration from her childhood — and fans were caught completely off guard. When asked about her first major crush, Aryna hesitated, then smiled and said, “It was Serena Williams. She was powerful, fearless, and I just wanted to be like her.”
While many assumed Sabalenka’s crush would be romantic, it turns out it was deeply aspirational. “I didn’t even know what a crush was,” she laughed. “I just knew when she played, I felt something spark inside me.”
Sabalenka elaborated, saying Serena’s dominance on the court gave her courage to dream bigger. “She wasn’t just a tennis player — she was a force. Watching her made me believe I could be one too.”
Fans were quick to respond with love and admiration. “This is exactly why representation matters,” one comment read. “Young girls seeing greatness in action — it changes lives.”
Social media lit up with praise for Aryna’s honesty. Some even shared their own stories of being inspired by athletes of the same gender during childhood. For many, it was refreshing to hear such vulnerability from a top-tier athlete.
Sabalenka’s confession is more than a feel-good story. It’s a reminder that admiration, especially in youth, often transcends categories. And in Aryna’s case, it shaped a career that now mirrors the power and passion of her childhood idol.
