Tiger mentality 🐯👑
All the things that go into Aryna Sabalenka's tiger mentality—according to Instagram
Rawr. Okay, the Miami Open ended two weeks ago, but tournament champ, Aryna Sabalenka, is still hanging out in her “home away from home” and seems to be having the time of her life via Instagram.
Personally, I’m a big fan of Sabalenka’s on-court game and how she’s improved so much mentally—despite all her off-court challenges including the death of her former partner, being banned from Wimbeldon due to Belarus’s role in the war against Ukraine, and fined $20,000 for smashing her racquet at one point.
Just in 2022, she had 21 double faults in the Australian Open in a disastrous match against Rebecca Peterson that made her consider quitting tennis. Now she’s a consistent WTA No. 1. and usually winning or reaching the final rounds of big tournaments. She’s stated her mental journey has been a long one as she’s learned to compartmentalize and control her focus.
She’s adopted “tiger mentality” and it’s become her personal brand and permanently a part of her (she tattooed a giant tiger head on her forearm).
The tattoo symbolizes her birth year, 1998—the year of the Tiger in the cyclical Chinese zodiac.
“It’s special as sometimes I need to remind myself that I am the tigress and I need to fight till the end. I just put it on my arm to make sure I can see it every time and be on fire,” said Sabalenka via Tennis365.
“Sometimes in the court, it reminds me that you need to fight for each point.”
Let’s take a look at what goes into reaching a tiger mentality according to Sabalenka’s post-Miami open routine.
You need balance
According to Sabalenka’s Instagram post, you need balance in your life. This may include a healthy dose of practicing wellness by wearing a red-light face mask, driving a very nice car, and practicing on clay at a really nice Miami country club. All these things say balance to me and are crucial for your mental health on and off the court.
You need star power
You are who you surround yourself with. Sabalenka surrounds herself with superstars like David Beckham and Lionel Messi (in Loewe). You should surround yourself with the same level of stars if you want to have the tiger mentality that Saby has.
You need to eat at the best restaurants
Since being in Miami, Sabalenka has been eating gooood. She’s been going to fancy restaurants like her favorite Casadonna and even getting pranked by Gen Z Tik-Tokers. Our queen saw right through it, though. You can see her tiger mentality in this video.
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You need a magazine cover
Sabalenka has been making herself more marketable over recent years due to her personality and openness. Currently, she’s an ambassador for Audemars Piguet, Nike, Wilson, Whoop, Dobel Tequila, and Oakberry. Here she is as Flaunt Magazine’s Issue 196 cover star.
You need a drink named after you
Okay she calls it the “Marg-Aryna” and I think we can get past the name and it’s just a riff on the traditional margarita, however, she always drinks them on-camera post match which is pretty cool.
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