Emirates Names Aryna Sabalenka as First Tennis Ambassador
Emirates has announced a partnership with Aryna Sabalenka, the current world No. 1 tennis player, appointing her as the airline’s first tennis ambassador.
The agreement builds on Emirates’ long-term association with tennis as the Official Airline of all four Grand Slam tournaments. To mark the announcement, Sabalenka unveiled an Emirates A380 featuring a tennis-themed livery highlighting the airline’s sponsorship of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Emirates said the partnership aligns with its continued focus on global sport and brand engagement. Sabalenka has also trained in Dubai, strengthening her connection with the airline’s home hub.
Sabalenka, 27, is a four-time Grand Slam champion, having won a second US Open title in September last year. She also won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 and finished runner-up at AO25. She has been named WTA Tour Player of the Year for the past two seasons.
Commenting on the partnership, Sabalenka said: “In tennis, every little detail counts – so to align with a brand which matches my ambition and attention to detail makes this feel like a natural fit.
Travelling in comfort with Emirates has been key to my preparation. But this partnership represents much more than that – because it also highlights what we, as women in sport, can achieve on the world stage.
Stepping off this Emirates A380 in Melbourne I feel ready to make 2026 another year to remember.”
Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand, said: “Aryna is not only a champion on the court but a global icon who inspires millions through her determination and professionalism – qualities that resonate strongly with our ethos at Emirates. With Dubai as our shared home, we already have a strong connection with Aryna, and this partnership allows us to elevate our engagement in a truly meaningful way.
Together, we hope to create unique opportunities for fans to experience the Emirates journey, both in the air and at the heart of the sport. Whether it be by offering live tennis through our ice entertainment system, or a taste of Australia through our in-flight menu. Emirates can’t wait to see what Aryna can achieve at the Australian Open and beyond in 2026.”
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