Sabalenka becomes first Belarusian on Time cover

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has been featured on the cover of Time magazine, marking a significant personal and professional milestone. The Belarusian star, who is preparing to defend her title at the Cincinnati Open, used the interview to reflect candidly on personal tragedies, her mental health journey, and her desire to be known for more than her athletic prowess.

The cover story, published in August 2026, highlights Sabalenka's achievement as the first Belarusian to appear on the magazine's cover. In the interview, she discussed the profound impact of losing her former boyfriend, ex-NHL player Konstantin Koltsov, in March 2024. Sabalenka revealed that she learned of his death from police while on the practice courts at the Miami Open. Despite her coach suggesting she take time off, she chose to compete, stating that tennis became her refuge. "Tennis really saved me from depression," she told the magazine. "I was just trying to focus on training, just so I spend less time with myself in my thoughts."

This loss compounded the earlier death of her father, Sergey Sabalenka, from meningitis in 2019. Sabalenka shared that grief remains a present force,...