WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka recently experienced one of the most special moments of her life after her longtime boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, proposed to her. However, what has particularly caught fans’ attention is that the Belarusian has been wearing her engagement ring on her right hand instead of the traditional left. However, Sabalenka has clarified the reason behind this choice during her run at Indian Wells.
Aryna Sabalenka Reveals the Reason for Wearing Ring on Her Right Hand After Engagement With Georgious Frangulis
Sabalenka and Frangulis went public with their relationship during the Madrid Open in 2024. The Belarusian later acknowledged him as her boyfriend a few weeks afterward while delivering her runner-up speech at the Italian Open.
Frangulis, a Brazilian entrepreneur of Greek descent, is the founder of the healthy fast-food chain Oakberry AçaÃ. Sabalenka is also associated with the brand as its ambassador.
The Greek-Brazilian has been a constant source of support for the Belarusian, frequently spotted cheering for her from the stands and celebrating her biggest moments, including her Grand Slam triumphs. Earlier this year, Sabalenka also appeared to hint at a new chapter in their relationship during her campaign at the Brisbane International.
The special moment arrived on Tuesday, March 3, when Georgios Frangulis organized a romantic nighttime proposal for Sabalenka. Dressed casually, Frangulis surprised the Belarusian by getting down on one knee and proposing to her. Sabalenka later shared a picture from the evening on Instagram.
MORE: Aryna Sabalenka Is Engaged, Boyfriend Georgios Stages Dreamy Night Proposal
While the engagement quickly drew attention across the tennis world and beyond, fans were particularly curious about Sabalenka wearing her ring on her right hand instead of the traditional left. The Belarusian later explained that the choice was rooted in cultural tradition while speaking with Steve Weissman and Christopher Eubanks on Tennis Channel.
“Well, because in our countries, it works for Brazil and for Belarus, we wear on the right hand. And I believe, but I’m not sure right now that when you get married, you change for left. So, yeah, in our countries it is on the right,” she said.
On the tennis front, Aryna Sabalenka has continued her trademark dominance, cruising into the third round of the ongoing WTA 1000 event. The World No. 1 recorded commanding straight-set victories over Himeno Sakatsume and Jaqueline Cristian to book her place in the next stage.
Sabalenka will now face fellow four-time Major champion Naomi Osaka in what will be only their second meeting on tour and their first in nearly six years, since Osaka defeated the Belarusian in the fourth round of the US Open in 2018. According to PFSN’s exclusive simulator, Sabalenka enters the contest as the clear favorite with an 83% chance of advancing
