Aryna Sabalenka joked that she hoped her gigantic engagement ring put off her opponent, as she wore it during her first-round win at Indian Wells.
Sabalenka defeated Himeno Sakatsume 6-4, 6-2, in their encounter and responded to questions about her new accessory afterwards.
At the press conference one journalist asked: ‘I’m curious as to playing with the ring on for the first time…’
Sabalenka replied: ‘It’s very comfortable.’
Another reporter asked: ‘Did you notice it when you were out there? Was there any worry about something happening to it during the match, like it getting hit?’
‘Yeah we double checked if there’s a possibility to lose a diamond and there is none so I was pretty confident wearing this ring and it feels comfy and shiny and I hope my opponent will get distracted by this diamond and it’s going to benefit me!’
The engagement ring could be seen on Aryna Sabalenka during her win at Indian Wells
Sabalenka is engaged after her partner, Georgios Frangulis, presented her with a huge diamond ring earlier in the week while the happy couple were surrounded by flowers and candles.
The world No 1 appeared to be totally caught by surprise when her Brazilian fiancé went down on bended knee on Wednesday, covering her face with her hands before the Brazilian entrepreneur showed her the stunning engagement ring.
Sabalenka could not stop smiling as she embraced and kissed Frangulis while they stood near a candlelit swimming pool decorated with flowers.
The Belarusian star posted a clip to Instagram with the caption, ‘You & me forever’ with an infinity emoji, wedding ring and white heart.
Her reveal drew messages of congratulations from Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena, Hollywood star Eiza Gonzalez and men’s tennis star Ben Shelton.
Fans have been speculating that Sabalenka and Frangulis were bound to tie the knot for several months, especially after she dropped a huge marriage hint at the Brisbane International tournament in Australia in January.
‘As always, last but not least, thank you my team for handling me,’ Sabalenka said after winning the final.
‘I’m really the toughest one to handle and you guys are the toughest people in the world if you can handle me.
‘Thank you, guys, I love you. And thank you to my boyfriend. Hopefully soon I’ll call you something else, right?’
As the crowd joined her in laughing, the 2024 Australian Open champion added, ‘I just put on extra pressure, right?’
Frangulis saw the funny side of the exchange as he was pictured smiling and laughing in the stands.
