What is the tattoo on Aryna Sabalenka's arm?

The Belarusian star is back playing close to her top level and looking for US Open glory once again. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is back in action at the US Open, hoping to add another title to her glittering career. The 27-year-old from Belarus had an impressive 2025 season reaching the finals at the Australian Open, French Open and semi finals at Wimbledon and won her first major of the year at the U.S. Open in NYC. This year saw her runner up Down Under again, while she struggled in both other Grand Slams. Aryna Sabalenka on Tiger Tattoo: 'I was born the year of the tiger. I was dating a guy covered in tattoos..I thought a tiger suits me. I'm a fighter. I never give up. I hated it at 1st, so did my parents. My mom didn't speak to me for a week. She said, 'What the f*** is this?'😂 pic.twitter.com/tZo316NmHz — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 25, 2023 What does the tattoo on Sabalenka's arm mean? The tattoo on Sabalenka's left forearm is of a tiger. She got the tattoo as a teenager without telling her parents. 'I think I was 18 years old and my parents didn't know, and when they saw it the first time my dad was laughing. I don't know why but my mom didn't talk to me for one week,' she has previously said. '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.' The tattoo represents the year she was born, which was 1998, the Chinese year of the Tiger. As she has stated, she got the tattoo to give her inspiration, and the tiger is considered to represent individuals who are authoritative, brave and self assured, with a strong moral compass and belief system. Watching Sabalenka on the court, she certainly appears to share some of the qualities of people born in the year of the tiger: she enjoys competition, but can sometimes struggle with emotions, occasionally becoming moody or intense. Which member of Sabalenka's team had a tiger tattoo on his head? During the 2024 US Open final, Sabalenka's fitness coach Jason Stacy showed his support for the Belarusian - caught the eye - by sporting a similar tiger 'tattoo' on the top of his bald head. We can only assume it's not a real one. Sabalenko is looking for more major glory in New York City to win her first grand slam title of the year, repeating what she did 12 months ago. Related stories Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere. And there's more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.