The US Open is no stranger to drama, but this year, one of the most talked-about storylines wasn’t only about aces, forehands, and titles—it was about love. Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning champion and current world No. 1, found herself at the center of an unforgettable moment when her boyfriend, Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, staged a surprise mid-match marriage proposal that left the tennis world buzzing.
For Sabalenka, however, the situation was less about nerves and more about perspective. Asked about the bold public gesture after her match, the Belarusian star laughed it off with her trademark candidness: “No pressure,” she said with a smile, “I was already focused on winning the match. He just made sure everyone else was watching too.”
A Proposal in the Spotlight
The moment came during a changeover, when cameras caught Frangulis in the stands holding up a sign with the words: “Aryna, will you marry me?” Fans gasped, phones went up, and social media exploded within seconds.
For an athlete already under the scrutiny of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, the mid-match proposal could easily have rattled her. But Sabalenka, nicknamed the “Tiger” for her fierce mentality, stayed composed and even managed a laugh before refocusing on her game.
“I saw it,” she later confirmed in the press room. “I couldn’t believe it, honestly. It’s not every day someone proposes like that during a Grand Slam. But that’s Georgios—he’s full of surprises.”
Who is Georgios Frangulis?
While Sabalenka has made her name crushing tennis balls across the globe, Frangulis has been quietly building his empire in Brazil. He is the founder of Oakberry, a fast-growing acai bowl franchise with hundreds of locations worldwide. Known for his business acumen and stylish presence, Frangulis has long been a supportive figure in Sabalenka’s journey, often spotted courtside at major tournaments.
Their relationship, though private, has occasionally surfaced in glimpses on social media and in tennis gossip columns. The US Open proposal marked the most public moment yet, sparking a flood of headlines in both sports and lifestyle outlets.
Fans React
The mid-match proposal split opinions among fans. Some praised the boldness and romance of Frangulis’ gesture, calling it “a fairytale moment” and “tennis’s most romantic proposal ever.”
Others, however, questioned the timing. “Why do that during a match?” one fan wrote on Twitter (X). “It could’ve distracted her.” Another joked: “Only Sabalenka can handle a 120 mph serve and a proposal at the same time.”
Regardless of opinions, the clip quickly went viral, with millions of views across platforms. Tennis fans who had never heard of Frangulis before suddenly wanted to know everything about him.
Sabalenka’s Response: Cool as Ever
True to her fiery-yet-grounded persona, Sabalenka handled the situation with humor and grace. Asked whether she gave him an answer on the spot, she teased: “Of course, but I told him he has to wait until I win the tournament. That’s the real deal.”
Reporters laughed, but her words carried the unmistakable tone of a champion who knows how to separate business from pleasure. The business, in this case, being defending her US Open crown.
Her follow-up line, “No pressure,” has already been memed by fans, with edits showing her blasting a forehand winner while the phrase flashes on screen.
Love and Tennis: A Powerful Combo
Tennis has a long history of intertwining romance and sport. From Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf’s iconic love story to recent off-court relationships making headlines, players often find that personal support fuels professional success.
For Sabalenka, who has spoken openly about the importance of her inner circle, Frangulis’ presence seems to provide stability. “He understands me,” she once said in an interview. “He knows the pressure I face on court, and he’s always there to remind me of who I am off court too.”
In many ways, the proposal highlighted the duality of her life—global superstar on one hand, young woman navigating love and family on the other.
A Symbolic Gesture
While Sabalenka downplayed the “pressure” aspect, some analysts suggested that the timing of the proposal might have symbolic value. By choosing the US Open—her breakthrough Slam and the place where she cemented her status as a champion—Frangulis tied their relationship to her career-defining achievements.
“It was a statement,” one tennis commentator noted. “He wanted the world to see not just her success as a player, but their journey together. It was personal, but also public in a way that says: this is part of her story now.”
What’s Next for the Couple?
As of now, Sabalenka has not given a detailed answer about wedding plans, insisting that her focus remains firmly on tennis. With the US Open still in progress, she has one goal: lifting the trophy again.
“First the tournament, then the party,” she quipped. “That’s how it works.”
Whether the wedding will be a quiet ceremony or another headline-making spectacle remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Frangulis’ bold move has added a new layer to Sabalenka’s already compelling narrative as a player and public figure.
The Bigger Picture
In a sport often dominated by discussions of rankings, rivalries, and records, moments like this remind fans of the humanity behind the athletes. Sabalenka is not just a fierce competitor but also someone experiencing love, partnership, and life’s milestones in the public eye.
For a player who has embraced both vulnerability and strength, the proposal—and her witty response—show why she has become such a fan favorite. She is relatable yet extraordinary, able to laugh at life’s surprises even in the middle of the most high-pressure environment.
Aryna Sabalenka’s response to Georgios Frangulis’ mid-match proposal summed it up perfectly: “No pressure.”
It was more than just a witty remark—it was a reflection of her confidence, maturity, and ability to balance the personal with the professional. Whether she goes on to defend her US Open crown or not, the moment has already become one of the tournament’s most talked-about highlights.
Love, after all, has its own way of winning.
