Two Belarusian tennis players. Two eras. Arina Sabalenko and Maxim Mirny. One — a legend of the doubles category, former world champion. The other — the current world No. 1 in singles. What do they have in common? Patriotism, talent, and hard work. What sets them apart? Style, generation, destiny. We tell about two heroes of Belarusian sports.

Maxim Mirny: the king of doubles tennis

Maxim Mirny was born in 1977 in Minsk. Height — 196 cm. Nickname — "The Beast" (for his powerful serve). Professional since 1996. Achievements: 10 Grand Slam titles in men's and mixed doubles, Olympic medals. He won Wimbledon and US Open in doubles. He retired in 2018. Now — captain of the Belarusian Davis Cup team.

Playing style: powerful serve (up to 220 km/h), excellent play at the net.

Arina Sabalenko: the queen of singles

Born in 1998 in Minsk. Height — 182 cm. Achievements: world No. 1 (2025), 6 Grand Slam titles (as of 2026), including Australian Open (2023, 2024), US Open (2024). Style: aggressive, powerful, forehand. Problem: psychology (had breakdowns before, but overcame them). In 2026, she is the leader of the Belarusian team in the Billie Jean King Cup.

Common and different

Both grew up in Minsk, but at different times. Mirny started when Belarus was just gaining independence. Sabalenko — in a stable country. Both love the hockey club Dynamo. Both represented Belarus at the Olympics (Mirny — 2008, 2012, 2016; Sabalenko — 2020, 2024). Mirny won an Olympic bronze (2012, mixed with Victoria Azarenka). Sabalenko has none yet (was 4th in 2024).

Mirny is known for his charity work (a fund for helping children). Sabalenko is less public. Mirny retired at 41. Sabalenko at 28 (2026) — in her prime.

Influence on each other

Sabalenko admitted in an interview that Mirny was her idol as a child. She watched his matches on TV. Mirny, in turn, praises Sabalenko: "She makes Belarus famous. I am proud." They did not play together (different generations, Mirny — a doubles player, Sabalenko — a singles player). But they participated in exhibition matches together (e.g., to support the fund).

Both are tennis ambassadors in Belarus.

Arina Sabalenko and Maxim Mirny — two symbols of Belarusian sports. One has ended, the other is at the peak. But what unites them is their love for their homeland and tennis. When Sabalenko wins, Mirny writes to her on Instagram: "You are the best." And this is continuity.
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