TIGERISH DRIVE TO SUCCEED

Sabalenka thanks her family for unwavering support after winning a third Slam title

Tenacious tiger-tattooed Aryna Sabalenka has embodied the spirit of her favourite animal en route to winning the US Open title, but there is also a softer side to the Belarusian.

On Sept 7, the world No. 2 dedicated her victory to her family who "never gave up on my dream" after a third Grand Slam title was achieved in a year of personal torment.

The 26-year-old defeated American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 to add a maiden New York singles crown to her back-to-back Australian Open titles.

This US Open was the first Grand Slam she had won since the death of her former boyfriend in March she had reached only the last eight at the French Open and missed Wimbledon with injury.

Ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov, once a star in the National Hockey League, died from apparent suicide at the age of 42. Five years ago, Sabalenka's father Sergey died of meningitis at just 43.

"After I lost my father, it has always been my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis," said Sabalenka.