In the high-octane world of professional tennis, where rivalries burn bright and every match is a battle of wills, Aryna Sabalenka stands as a titan of the sport. The Belarusian powerhouse, currently reigning as the world No. 1, has not only dominated the WTA Tour with her ferocious baseline game but also captured hearts with her candid, unfiltered personality. As the 2025 season barrels forward, with Sabalenka fresh off her third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and a U.S. Open victory in 2024, she’s opened up about a personal quirk that’s raised eyebrows and sparked debate: her unabashed preference for watching men’s tennis over women’s when she flips on the television.
Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion and a force who’s redefined power tennis with her thunderous serves and relentless aggression, isn’t one to shy away from speaking her mind. During a recent chat ahead of the Madrid Open—where she’s the defending champion—she revealed a viewing habit that’s as bold as her on-court style. “I’m not someone who watches too much tennis,” she admitted with a laugh that’s become her trademark, “but I prefer to watch men’s tennis rather than women’s tennis. I feel like there is more strategy and it’s more interesting to watch.” The comment, delivered with her characteristic levity, landed like a well-placed ace, stirring reactions from fans and players alike.
For Sabalenka, this preference isn’t about dismissing her own domain—she’s too entrenched in the WTA’s upper echelon for that. Instead, it’s a window into how she engages with the sport beyond her own matches. Having faced off against the likes of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina countless times, she feels she’s seen it all on the women’s side. “I don’t watch their matches,” she’s explained of her female rivals. “I feel like I’ve played against them enough and that, if I face one of them again, my coach is going to show me images of their matches to analyze and prepare me.” It’s a pragmatic approach from a player who’s less about spectating and more about dissecting—an analyst’s mindset forged by years of battling the best.
What draws her to the ATP Tour, then? It’s the chess-like complexity she perceives in men’s matches. Sabalenka finds a certain “logic” in the way points unfold, a strategic depth that keeps her glued to the screen. Picture her, remote in hand, marveling at a five-set marathon where players like Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner—her peers in the next-gen pantheon—trade tactical blows. “There’s more strategy,” she’s said, her voice tinged with enthusiasm, hinting at an appreciation for the prolonged rallies and physical endurance that often define men’s Grand Slam encounters. It’s not a knock on the women’s game, where she’s a luminary, but a personal taste shaped by her own analytical lens.
This revelation comes at a fascinating juncture in Sabalenka’s career. At 26, she’s riding a wave of success that’s seen her claim titles in Cincinnati, Wuhan, and the U.S. Open in 2024, unseating Swiatek as the year-end No. 1. Yet, her journey hasn’t been without turbulence. The tragic loss of her former partner, Konstantin Koltsov, in March 2024 rocked her world, yet she soldiered on, playing through grief at the Miami Open just days later. “I thought I had to keep going,” she’s reflected, a testament to her resilience. That strength has fueled her resurgence, making her candid TV-watching confession all the more intriguing—a glimpse into how she unwinds from the pressures of her own spotlight.
Sabalenka’s preference isn’t without context. Men’s tennis, with its best-of-five-set format at majors, often stretches into epic territory, offering a different rhythm than the WTA’s best-of-three. She’s not alone in noticing the contrast—debates about match length and entertainment value have long simmered in tennis circles. Yet, her words carry weight as a top player, prompting some to wonder if they reflect a broader sentiment. “I hope to maintain my level,” she’s said of her own game, acknowledging a recent dip that saw her cede ground to Swiatek and Rybakina. Still, her love for the men’s game doesn’t dim her commitment to her craft—she’s too competitive for that.
As she prepares for the clay season, with Madrid on the horizon and a chance to defend her 2023 title, Sabalenka remains a figure of fascination. Her TV habits might lean toward the ATP, but on the court, she’s all WTA fire. “I’m happy to be part of this group,” she’s said of her peers, a nod to the fierce rivalries that drive her. Whether she’s studying Sinner’s spin or Alcaraz’s speed between matches, one thing’s clear: Sabalenka’s passion for tennis—men’s, women’s, or otherwise—is as fierce as the tiger tattooed on her arm, a symbol of the fighter who’s captivating the sport, one honest quip at a time.
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