Written by Alberto Amalfi | @Itenisi_Manje | Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Photo credit: ESPN
NEW YORK—Some players have loyal fans.
Aryna Sabalenka inspires the impressionists.
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Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka came face-to-face with her Mini Me at Louis Armstrong Stadium today.
After his second match of the US Open 6-3, 6-1 US Open Lucia Bronzettisecond-seeded Sabalenka spotted her younger doppelganger in the crowd and pulled her closer for a photo.
The little girl wore a matching purple Nike outfit and carried a Tiger toy in homage to Sabalenka’s famous Tiger tattoo on her arm.
Stop what you’re doing, it’s time for the tournament @SabalenkaA 😍🤗 pic.twitter.com/kH16B0EZyc
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2024
The 2023 US Open finalist said he saw a young fan on the big screen—setting the stage for a great rally.
“It was a really nice moment. I just looked up, I saw on the big screen, like, for me,” said Sabalenka afterwards. “It was very good (laughs).
“It’s a big motivation to continue to inspire the new generation. That’s the main goal. Yeah, that was a great time.”
The former world No. 1 said that this is the first time that Sabalenka has been crowded by fans at one of his matches.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone, like a dresser — dress like me and have a little tattoo and a little tiger,” said Sabalenka, who will play 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round. “How sweet is that?”
