On Sunday night under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aryna Sabalenka wasn’t just a champion—she was a woman in love. After clinching her second consecutive US Open title with a gritty straight-sets win over Amanda Anisimova, the Belarusian star leapt into the players’ box, wrapped her arms around her boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, and kissed him passionately as the crowd erupted.
It was a moment that perfectly captured the balance between sport and humanity: a champion who had just secured her legacy on the court, and a partner who had been by her side through every grueling step of the journey.
A Night of Triumph
Sabalenka’s 6–3, 7–6(3) victory was far from routine. The defending champion faced down a fearless Anisimova, who pushed her to the brink in the second set with heavy hitting and smart counterpunching. But Sabalenka, ranked world No. 1, showed the maturity and mental fortitude that has come to define her over the past two years.
With booming serves, punishing forehands, and nerves of steel in the tiebreak, Sabalenka sealed her fourth Grand Slam title—and perhaps her sweetest yet. As she raised her arms in triumph, there was no doubt this was more than just another win. It was vindication after a season marked by near-misses and heartbreak in earlier majors.
The Leap Into Love
As soon as the final handshake with Anisimova was done, Sabalenka’s focus shifted. She sprinted toward the stands, climbed into her box with athleticism that mirrored her court movement, and wrapped Georgios Frangulis in an embrace that was equal parts relief, joy, and love.
Television cameras captured the kiss—long, heartfelt, and passionate. The crowd roared, not just for the champion but for the raw emotion of the moment. Social media exploded, with fans posting clips under captions like “Tennis meets Hollywood” and “Love and victory in one frame.”
“It was instinct,” Sabalenka later explained. “In that moment, all I wanted was to share it with him. Georgios has been my biggest supporter through the highs and the lows. This wasn’t just my victory—it was ours.”
Who Is Georgios Frangulis?
While Sabalenka has been in the spotlight as one of the biggest names in women’s tennis, Georgios Frangulis has quietly carved his own path in the business world. The Brazilian-born entrepreneur is the founder and CEO of Oakberry, a global açaí company that has expanded across continents with its health-focused fast-food concept.
Their relationship first made headlines in 2023, when Sabalenka began appearing in public with Frangulis at tournaments and social events. Known for his charisma and business acumen, Frangulis has since become a familiar face in Sabalenka’s player’s box, cheering passionately during matches and often spotted celebrating with her team.
Fans have noted how his calm demeanor balances Sabalenka’s fiery personality. Where she thrives on intensity, he provides stability. It’s a dynamic that has resonated not just with their supporters but also with Sabalenka herself.
“He gives me peace,” Sabalenka has said in past interviews. “On court I’m all fire, but off court he helps me stay grounded. That’s priceless.”
A Season of Resilience
To understand why the moment with Frangulis felt so symbolic, one has to look back at Sabalenka’s 2025 season.
She reached the finals of both the Australian Open and French Open but fell short each time, fueling doubts about whether she could keep delivering at the highest level. At Wimbledon, she stumbled in the semifinals, another disappointment in a season that seemed destined for frustration.
Yet through it all, Frangulis was there—offering support, reminding her of her strengths, and celebrating even the small wins. Friends close to the couple have shared that his encouragement played a key role in keeping her confidence alive as she battled the mental toll of repeated defeats.
By the time she arrived in New York, Sabalenka was determined to flip the script. And with Frangulis by her side, she did just that.
The Kiss Heard Around the World
The celebration at Arthur Ashe wasn’t just a romantic gesture—it was a cultural moment. Clips of the kiss flooded timelines on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok within minutes, with fans calling it “the kiss heard around the world.”
One user wrote: “Forget Barbie and Ken. Aryna and Georgios are the real power couple of 2025.” Another added: “Champagne, trophies, kisses—Sabalenka is living the dream.”
Sports media outlets compared the moment to iconic tennis celebrations of the past: Pat Cash’s climb into the stands at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic’s family embraces, and even Serena Williams’s tearful hugs with her team. But what made Sabalenka’s gesture unique was the blend of power and romance—an athlete known for her ferocity showing vulnerability in front of millions.
Fans Embrace the Romance
Inside Arthur Ashe, fans who had been cheering for the homegrown Anisimova couldn’t help but join in the applause for Sabalenka’s post-match display. “You could feel the love,” said one spectator. “It was bigger than tennis for a moment—it was about life.”
Even Anisimova, in her runner-up speech, smiled when asked about the moment. “That was beautiful,” she said. “If I lost to someone today, at least it was to a champion in every sense.”
A Power Couple in the Making
Sabalenka’s kiss with Frangulis has only added to the fascination surrounding them as one of tennis’s newest power couples. He’s a self-made businessman with a global brand; she’s the reigning queen of hard courts. Together, they embody ambition, drive, and charisma.
Their joint public appearances—whether courtside, at galas, or on vacations—have already made them Instagram favorites. Now, with Sabalenka’s US Open win, their partnership feels even more symbolic of shared triumph.
Looking Ahead
As Sabalenka heads toward the WTA Finals and the close of the season, her focus remains firmly on tennis. But it’s clear that her personal life is now deeply intertwined with her professional success.
“Love gives me strength,” she admitted after lifting the trophy. “When you know someone has your back no matter what, you play freer. You fight harder. And in the biggest moments, you feel unstoppable.”
For Aryna Sabalenka, that kiss wasn’t just a celebration—it was a declaration of gratitude, of unity, and of the life she is building beyond the baseline.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 US Open will be remembered for many things: Sabalenka’s powerful title defense, Amanda Anisimova’s breakthrough run, and the electric energy of the New York crowd. But above all, it may be remembered for the moment when Aryna Sabalenka leapt into the stands to kiss Georgios Frangulis—a gesture that captured the magic of sport, love, and victory all at once.
It was the kind of moment that reminds us why we watch tennis: not just for the winners and the trophies, but for the human stories that shine through the spotlight.
And for Sabalenka, the champagne-soaked night in New York was proof that sometimes dreams really do come true—both on and off the court.
