For months, the question lingered around Aryna Sabalenka like a heavy cloud: would one of the sport’s fiercest competitors follow the rising wave of nationality switches sweeping tennis? With Belarusian athletes restricted from competing under their national flag due to geopolitical turmoil, speculation only intensified. But Sabalenka decided to share her stance in her latest interview.

“You’ve not been competing with the Belarus flag,” Piers Morgan started. “We’ve got events like the Olympics coming up and so on. What do you hope happens? Would you like to get back to being able to compete with your nation’s flag?”

Sabalenka responded: “I have always been really proud to represent such a small country. I’m an inspiration for the young kids there. And changing nationality, it’s not the case for me. Because I don’t want to betray all those kids.

“I would like to represent Belarus just for the kids from that country. I want them to see me competing on a high level and get inspired by me. I’ll show them that if I could make it to the top, they can also do that.”

In recent days, several WTA stars like Daria Kasatkina, Varvara Gracheva, Kamilla Rakhimova, Anastasia Potapova, and several others have switched their nationalities. So, Sabalenka’s perspective comes as a fresh one. 

The decision to disallow the Russian and Belarusian tennis pros from representing their nation’s colors first came in 2022, when the ITF suspended the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarusian Tennis Association from all four major tournaments and team competitions (Davis Cup and the BJK Cup).

But in an era where athletes often choose new flags to avoid restrictions, find better support, or simply chase opportunity, Aryna Sabalenka’s stance landed like a thunderclap. But this wasn’t the first time that she had displayed pride in her nation. In 2021, before the Tokyo Olympics, she admitted the same.

“I’m really happy to represent my country, my people, and I want to do everything I can to make sure that Belarus is proud of me. I want to represent my country as a strong people who can fight through everything.”

The future of Belarusian representation at major events, including the Olympics, remains uncertain. The restrictions may continue. The flag may stay absent next to her name. But for Sabalenka, none of that changes the mission. 

This year, her incredible performances (winning 4 titles and a win-loss record of 63-12) earned her the number one crown. Can she keep this momentum going and make her countrymen proud with an impressive start to her 2026 season? Time will tell!

Which will be Aryna Sabalenka’s first tournament in 2026?

Aryna Sabalenka ended her 2025 season the only way she knows how: fiercely honest, unapologetically emotional, and with her eyes already fixed on the road ahead. As the year wound down, the Belarusian took a moment on IG to reflect on what had been one of the most challenging seasons of her career. She spoke openly about the tough stretches, the battles that didn’t go her way, and the personal growth that came wrapped in frustration and resilience.

“I’ve learned so many lessons this year through the ups and the downs of every single tournament and the training in between. Beyond blessed and grateful for it all. 2026 season — bring it on,” she mentioned in November.

For Aryna Sabalenka, the 2026 season will kick off in familiar, energized territory: the Brisbane International. This year, she defeated Polina Kudermetova to win the title. Can she keep her crown intact in Brisbane this time? We’ll see!

Even the Australian Open main-draw entry list has been released. Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek lead 11 Grand Slam champions and 101 of the current Top 103 players in the world. Last year at the AO, she came inches closer to retaining her crown, but Madison Keys had other plans.

Do you think Sabalenka can win the title this year in Melbourne?