Aryna Sabalenka is bidding to capture a hattrick of Australian Open titles on Saturday.
The world No. 1 lifted the trophy in Melbourne in 2023 and 2024, and she can complete a three-peat when she faces Madison Keys in the championship match.
When she takes to Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka will be cheered on by her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, the multi-millionaire CEO of Oakberry acai, who she started dating last year.
Frangulis has become as much of a staple in the Belarusian’s box as the rest of her coaching team. Born in Brazil to Greek parents, he often gets shoutouts during her victory speeches.
When she won Brisbane at the start of the year, Sabalenka said his support was “priceless”. Since Sabalenka and Frangulis started dating, the 26-year-old has already lifted four titles, and she’ll be hoping to nab another in Melbourne Park.
The pair only went public with their relationship last May at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix together. They were spotted in the Haas garage as the team is sponsored by Oakberry.
It came weeks after the tragic death of Sabalenka’s ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov.
The former professional ice hockey player passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in Miami last March. At the time, Sabalenka said: “While we were no longer together, my heart is broken.”
The world No. 1 also has a brand deal with Oakberry – an acai company – which she signed ahead of last year’s Australian Open in January.
When Sabalenka’s sponsorship was announced, Frangulis said: “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.”
Frangulis launched Oakberry in 2016. The brand now has stores in more than 35 countries, focusing on acai bowls and smoothies.
The businessman is said to have a net worth of £60 million to £80 million, largely thanks to his Oakberry empire.
He wasn’t always an entrepreneur – Sabalenka’s boyfriend studied law at Fundacao Armando Alvares Penteado.
As well as taking care of things at Oakberry, the 36-year-old now travels on the tennis tour to support Sabalenka. And the three-time Major winner believes he’s been a huge help away from the court.
“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 told People.
“But I make sure I kind of forget about tennis and focus on the good things and enjoy my life. 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.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk