World No. 1 tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is known for overpowering serves and blistering groundstrokes — but at the BNP Paribas Open this week, she may have added an unexpected new “weapon” to her game: a dazzling 12-carat diamond engagement ring.
The Belarusian champion recently got engaged to entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, and she hasn’t been shy about showing off the spectacular sparkler while competing in California. In fact, Sabalenka joked after one of her early-round victories that the diamond might give her a tiny competitive edge.
“It feels comfy, feels shiny,” the right-handed athlete told reporters with a laugh. “I hope that my opponent will get distracted with this diamond and it’s going to benefit me.”
So far, the playful strategy doesn’t appear to be hurting. The tournament’s top seed has powered her way into the quarterfinals, dispatching opponents with ease—including a win over Naomi Osaka.
What makes the story even more amusing is where Sabalenka wears the ring. In the United States, engagement rings traditionally adorn the ring finger of the left hand. Sabalenka, however, wears hers on the right hand — a choice that reflects cultural traditions from her home country of Belarus.
In many nations across Eastern and Northern Europe — including Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Belarus — engagement and wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand. The custom is also common in countries such as Germany, Austria, Norway, Greece and Spain, where Frangulis has roots. In these cultures, the right hand is historically associated with vows, strength and blessings, particularly within Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions.
Other regions follow similar customs for different reasons. In India, the right hand is often considered the “pure” hand used for sacred acts. In countries like Brazil and Turkey, engagement rings are worn on the right hand during the engagement and later moved to the left hand after the wedding ceremony.
Sabalenka’s ring itself is every bit as attention-grabbing as her tennis game.
The custom design, created by jeweler Isabela Grutman, centers on an oval-cut diamond weighing more than 12 carats — an impressive gemstone that experts estimate could be worth well over $750,000 depending on its quality. The elongated shape is a favorite among modern brides because it appears larger than many other cuts of the same carat weight and visually elongates the finger.
The diamond is set in platinum and accented by a hidden halo of emeralds — Sabalenka’s favorite gemstone and also her birthstone. The emerald accents add a subtle pop of color while also giving the ring a deeply personal touch. The band features elegant curves and secure double prongs designed to hold the sizable diamond firmly in place — an important detail when its wearer happens to be unleashing 120-mile-per-hour serves.
Before taking the ring onto the court, Sabalenka said she made sure it was completely secure.
“We double-checked if there is a possibility to lose the diamond,” she said. “There is none.”
With the diamond safely fastened — and perhaps flashing under California's desert sun — the world No. 1 appears to be playing some of her best tennis of the tournament.
Credits: Images via Instagram / arynasabalenka and georgiosfrangulis.