Sabalenka And Frangulis Steal Spotlight Ahead Of Australian Open Final

As the Australian Open final approaches, Aryna Sabalenka stands on the brink of history, ready to chase her fifth Grand Slam title and a third consecutive crown at Melbourne Park. But beyond the thrilling tennis on display, Sabalenka’s journey to the top has been marked by resilience, personal tragedy, and newfound love—elements that have shaped her both on and off the court.

The 27-year-old Belarusian powerhouse is set to face Elena Rybakina, the No. 5 seed from Kazakhstan, in a much-anticipated showdown. Their rivalry has become one of the sport’s most compelling, with Sabalenka prevailing over Rybakina in the 2023 Australian Open final. This year, both players have stormed through the tournament without dropping a set, setting the stage for a blockbuster clash at Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka’s run to the 2026 final has been nothing short of dominant. She dispatched Elina Svitolina in the semifinals with a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory, becoming only the third woman in the Open Era to reach four consecutive singles finals at the Australian Open. Her consistency at the majors is remarkable, with semifinal appearances at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon three times since 2021, and a U.S. Open title in 2024.

Yet, Sabalenka’s ascent has come amid profound personal loss. In 2019, she lost her father, Sergei, a former ice hockey player, to meningitis at just 43. The tragedy struck again in March 2024 when her ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov—a former NHL player—died by suicide in Miami. Koltsov had been in the city to watch Sabalenka compete at the Miami Open, though the couple had separated before his passing. In a heartfelt message, Sabalenka wrote, “Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken. Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”

Despite these hardships, Sabalenka has found strength and support in her relationship with Georgios Frangulis, a 37-year-old Brazilian-Greek entrepreneur. The couple’s romance became public in May 2024, just weeks after Koltsov’s death, when they were spotted together at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Since then, Frangulis has been a fixture in Sabalenka’s player box, cheering her on at tournaments around the world.

Frangulis, CEO and co-founder of Oakberry—a global superfood brand specializing in açaí bowls and smoothies—has his own story of perseverance. Born in Brazil to a Greek family and now based in the United States, he studied law but never took the bar exam, instead turning his focus to entrepreneurship. In 2016, Frangulis launched Oakberry, which now boasts more than 700 stores across over 40 countries and raised $63 million in capital in 2023. The brand’s rapid expansion has made Frangulis a multimillionaire, with an estimated net worth between £60 million and £80 million.

His journey wasn’t without its own challenges. In August 2016, Frangulis was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He underwent surgery just weeks after his wedding, and, in a testament to his resilience, opened the first Oakberry store in São Paulo that December. Reflecting on that period, he told Forbes Brazil, “I got married on October 1st; I used the last money I had to pay for the wedding bar; I had surgery on October 16th and managed to open the first Oak store in São Paulo on December 6th, because I was struck by a kind of divine lightning bolt when I needed it most – and least expected it.”

Their professional paths crossed before romance blossomed. Sabalenka became an Oakberry brand ambassador in January 2024, just before clinching her second Australian Open title. Frangulis praised the partnership, saying, “Aryna Sabalenka is a great example of the future of tennis and we are working closely with her to create some really exciting things over the years.” The relationship soon moved beyond business, with Sabalenka crediting Frangulis for his unwavering support. “There was a really tough period where I was really happy to have him by my side, always cheering me up, always making sure that we are doing some fun stuff,” she shared with People magazine. “Even when things are going wrong in my career. So yeah, he was my biggest support and yeah, really happy to have him by my side.”

The couple’s 10-year age gap—Sabalenka is 27, Frangulis 37—has been noted, but appears not to faze them. Sabalenka often thanks Frangulis in her post-match speeches, sometimes playfully hinting at wanting to take their relationship to the next level. After winning the Brisbane International in January 2025, she quipped, “Thank you to my boyfriend… Hopefully soon I can call you something else.” Cameras quickly found Frangulis in the stands, and Sabalenka added with a laugh, “Let’s just put some extra pressure.”

Her desire for a private proposal was made clear during the 2025 U.S. Open, when a fan proposed in the crowd during her match against Leylah Fernandez. “I think it’s the first time that someone proposed during my match,” Sabalenka said afterward. “It was a very sweet moment, but I was just trying not to start smiling, because it’s very cute and I believe they’re super happy right now. I was just trying to keep focusing on my game, and it was a great moment. And as I said on court, I wish them a happy marriage.” When asked if she wanted a similar proposal, she responded, “I don’t want this kind of proposal,” before glancing at her boyfriend. “Yeah. No pressure.”

Sabalenka’s star power continues to rise, both on and off the court. In January 2026, she was announced as a brand ambassador for Gucci and Emirates, joining a select group of athletes representing elite global brands. Fans have dubbed her “the new Queen of Tennis,” with one social media user noting, “IM8, Audemars Piguet, Emirates, and now Gucci; Sabalenka is simply the new Queen of Tennis.”

As she prepares to step onto the court for another shot at glory, Sabalenka does so with a sense of gratitude for the support system she’s built. “Thank you my team for handling me,” she said after her win over Marta Kostyuk. “I’m really the toughest one to handle and you guys are the toughest people in the world if you can handle me. Thank you, guys, I love you. And thank you to my boyfriend. Hopefully soon I’ll call you somehow else, right?”

With her boyfriend, family, and fans behind her, Aryna Sabalenka is poised for another unforgettable chapter in her career at the Australian Open. Whether or not she lifts the trophy this weekend, her journey—marked by triumph, loss, and love—continues to inspire the tennis world.