No pressure, Sabalenka tells her boyfriend after mid-match proposal during her US Open match

Belarusian star defeats Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the third round

Last updated:
Jai Rai, Assistant Editor
2 MIN READ
Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka (L) shakes hands with Canada's Leylah Fernandez after winning their women's singles third round tennis match on day six of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 29, 2025.
Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka (L) shakes hands with Canada's Leylah Fernandez after winning their women's singles third round tennis match on day six of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on August 29, 2025.
AFP

Dubai: During the third-round match between Aryna Sabalenka and Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, play was briefly interrupted by an unexpected and heartwarming moment — a man in the stands got down on one knee to propose to his partner. She said yes, prompting cheers and applause from the entire crowd.

Following her 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory, Sabalenka was asked about the proposal during her post-match press conference. Laughing, she said, “I looked at my boyfriend. No pressure!”

The Belarusian tennis star has been dating Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis since 2024. Reflecting on the moment, she added, “I think it’s the first time someone has proposed during one of my matches. It was really sweet. I was just trying not to smile too much — it was so cute, and I’m sure they’re incredibly happy, but I had to stay focused on my game.”

She also sent her best wishes to the newly engaged couple: “It was a great moment, and as I said on court, I wish them a happy marriage.”

Sabalenka and Frangulis were first seen together publicly in April 2024, just a month after the tragic passing of Sabalenka’s former partner, Konstantin Koltsov, who died by suicide in March 2024.

In an August 2024 interview with People, Sabalenka spoke about how vital Frangulis’s support was during her grieving process. “It was a really tough time, and I was so grateful to have him by my side — always lifting me up and making sure we found joy in little things,” she shared.

Jai Rai
Jai RaiAssistant Editor
Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

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