Aryna Sabalenka’s thoughtful victory speech at the Cincinnati Open included one slight slip-up.
Moments after defeating American Jessica Pegula in Monday’s final, 6-3, 7-5, Sabalenka — currently ranked second in the world — expressed gratitude for her support system, particularly her “boyfriends.”
“And of course, a special thank you to my boyfriends, boyfriend. I said, ‘Boyfriends,’ oh my gosh,” she said as the crowd — including her partner, Georgios Frangulis — laughed at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
“That’s my terrible English, guys. Thank you to my boyfriend to keep me happy every day, thank you so much.”
Frangulis is the CEO of Açaí brand Oakberry.
He celebrated Sabalenka’s latest triumph in a touching Instagram Story on Monday.
“Much much deserved,” Frangulis posted, adding, “somehow you look even prettier with that Trophy smile.”
He captioned a separate post, “Holding couple trophies.”
Sabalenka and Frangulis confirmed their relationship earlier this year.
The two-time Australian Open winner was seen getting cozy with the entrepreneur in Italy in May when she was competing at the Italian Open.
The sighting came nearly two months after the tragic passing of Sabalenka’s ex-boyfriend, former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov.
He died of an “apparent suicide” at the age of 42, the Miami-Dade Police Department stated in March.
Sabalenka is now chasing her first U.S. Open title after falling short to Coco Gauff in the final last year.
The 2024 U.S. Open gets underway next Monday and runs through Sunday, Sept. 8.
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