Aryna Sabalenka enters the 2024 US Open final as the world’s No. 2 ranked tennis player and seeking her first tournament win and third Grand Slam victory.
The 26-year-old Belarusian is one of the fiercest competitors in the game, something fans have noticed throughout her illustrious professional career. Fans have also noticed Sabalenka’s tattoo, as she has a portrait of a tiger on the inside of her left forearm.
Sabalenka’s tattoo at the US Open final got some attention thanks to her coach, Jason Stacy. He was spotted in her dressing room with his own (presumably temporary) tattoo on his bald head. Here’s more on Sabalenka’s tattoo and her coach’s tribute.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Tiger Tattoo, Explained
Born in 1998, Sabalenka was born in the Year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese zodiac. Her tattoo is inspired by her birth year and her admiration for the animal.
“I was born in the year of the tiger and one day I was sleeping and dreaming about a tiger tattoo and I got it one day. I would like to take a nice walk with a tiger to have a nice photo with it, touch it, feel it,” Sabalenka explained in an interview with Tennis Channel.
With Sabalenka’s tiger tattoo being one of her defining features, her coach made his allegiance clear with the temporary tattoo on his forehead for the 2024 US Open final. Every time it was mentioned on the show, Stacy’s temporary tattoo took center stage.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024
That’s really cool of Jason Stacy, #USOpen #USOpen2024 #Sabalenka pic.twitter.com/1r8lflZsG8
— Tennisfanatic (@Tennisfana83769) September 7, 2024
Sabalenka’s star is a two-time Australian Open winner. After failing to reach the 2023 US Open final, she hopes to add another Grand Slam victory to her tally when she faces Jessica Pegula in the 2024 championship match at Flushing Meadows.
