At the Indian Wells Open on March 6, 2026, world No. 1 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka captivated fans both on and off the court by revealing her engagement to long-time partner Georgios Frangulis. Displaying a dazzling 12-carat ring during her match at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, Sabalenka powered her way past competitor Himeno Sakatsume while cleverly using the ring as a subtle psychological tactic.
The Belarusian champion spoke about how natural the ring felt during play in her post-match press conference, noting its comfort and the security of its setting. She even entertained the idea that the sparkling accessory might distract her opponents to her advantage.
Details Behind the Unique Engagement Ring Design
The ring that Sabalenka proudly wore was crafted by designer Isabela Grutman, wife of entrepreneur David Grutman, both close friends of Sabalenka. This exquisite piece features an oval-cut diamond set in platinum, accompanied by a curved band adorned with emerald stones—her favorite gemstone—making it deeply personal and symbolic.
We spent months working on the design, selecting the stones, and perfecting every detail of the craftsmanship to make it truly special for Aryna,
Grutman said in an interview with Page Six Style.
Sabalenka’s Humorous Take on Using the Ring During Matches
When asked about wearing the ring during matches and the possibility of damage during intense rallies, Sabalenka assured everyone that the diamond’s setting was secure. She joked about the ring’s tactical use, hoping it might distract her opponents during play.
We double-checked if there is a possibility to lose the diamond, and there is none, so I was pretty confident wearing this ring, and it feels comfy, feels shiny.
I hope that my opponent will get distracted with this diamond and it’s going to benefit me,
she added with a laugh.
How the Surprise Proposal Unfolded
Sabalenka recently detailed the surprise element of her engagement, revealing that her team orchestrated the event without her knowledge. Despite being advised by her agent to dress up for an important meeting, Sabalenka chose casual attire after a tiring day, underestimating the significance of the evening.
Well, as everyone probably saw, I wasn’t prepared at all. It was a surprise, and I know it happened the 3rd,
the four-time Grand Slam champion shared during her press conference.
The whole team knew. My agent told me that I have a very important meeting for 15 minutes. Just put on something nice. I was super tired in the evening. I was like, okay, I’m not going to do that. I’ll just wear jeans.
Upon arriving at a specially prepared rented house, Sabalenka saw Frangulis waiting and was overwhelmed by emotion, shedding tears due to her unexpected appearance and the beautiful moment.
Then we got there, and I saw Georgios, and I was crying half of the time, because I thought that I looked ugly, not prepared, and this is such a beautiful moment. I stopped everything and asked the videographer and photographer to make sure my face is not there, just the ring.
Yeah, it was a beautiful moment. I was surprised, even though I kind of knew, had a feeling that it’s going to happen here. But he still managed to do a surprise.
Milestones on the Court and Upcoming Matches
While the engagement was a personal highlight, Sabalenka also marked a professional milestone at the BNP Paribas Open by winning her 100th match as the WTA’s top-ranked player. After defeating Japanese qualifier Himeno Sakatsume, she prepares to face Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, who earlier saved three match points in her last match.
Sabalenka aims to maintain momentum at Indian Wells and build a strong campaign as part of the Sunshine Double, showcasing her determination to succeed both on and off the tennis court.
