World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her 2026 season in style, securing her third Brisbane International title in four years—and playfully putting some "extra pressure" on her boyfriend with a not-so-subtle marriage joke during her victory speech.
The Belarusian powerhouse dominated the final against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, winning 6-4, 6-3 in just 79 minutes and dropping no sets all tournament. This marked her 22nd career WTA title and solidified her as the red-hot favorite heading into the Australian Open, starting next Sunday.
Here are some standout moments from Sabalenka's triumphant run and trophy presentation:
In her on-court speech to the cheering crowd at Pat Rafter Arena, Sabalenka first thanked her team for putting up with her intensity:
“Thank you to my team for handling me. I really am the toughest to handle, and you are the toughest in the world because you can handle me.”
Then came the viral moment directed at her boyfriend, Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, who was watching from the stands:
“Thank you to my boyfriend… Hopefully soon I can call you something else. Let’s just put some extra pressure."
The cheeky line drew laughs, nervous reactions, and applause, highlighting the couple's playful dynamic amid growing speculation about their future.
Here are a few photo capturing Sabalenka and Frangulis together:
Who is Georgios Frangulis?
Sabalenka has been dating Frangulis since 2024, with the couple first spotted together in April of that year. The 36-year-old (born in São Paulo, Brazil) is the founder and CEO of Oakberry, a global superfood chain specializing in açaí bowls, with over 700 stores worldwide. He has Brazilian nationality but strong Greek heritage—his family originates from Thessaloniki, Greece, where his grandfather emigrated from. Frangulis has described himself as feeling "100% Greek" in terms of values, worldview, and upbringing, despite being born and raised in Brazil.
He studied law but never pursued it as a career, opting instead for entrepreneurship. He also has a passion for motorsports and has competed in events like the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge. Reports estimate his net worth to be around $75 million, and Sabalenka even became an ambassador for Oakberry in early 2024.
Here are more shots of the supportive couple and Frangulis:
Looking Ahead to the Australian Open
A two-time AO champion (2023 and 2024), Sabalenka fell to Madison Keys in the 2025 final but is determined to improve. Post-match, she said: "The only thing I know is that I'll be there, I'll be fighting. I'll do my best to go as far as possible. And do a little bit better than last year. That's my focus."
With her dominant form—no sets dropped in Brisbane—no one is betting against her claiming a third title in four years and her fifth Grand Slam overall.
This lighthearted engagement tease adds a fun personal layer to Sabalenka's powerhouse start to the year. Fans are buzzing—could a proposal be on the horizon for the tennis star and her Greek-Brazilian beau?
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