Aryna Sabalenka has amassed over $50 million in career earnings, marking her as the second-highest earner in WTA history behind Serena Williams. Despite this impressive financial milestone, her performance coach Jason Stacy reveals that the journey involved significant monetary sacrifices. Even as Sabalenka entered the top 10 rankings in the early 2020s, her team, including Stacy and head coach Anton Dubrov, shared hotel rooms and relied on budget flights, with Sabalenka covering all their expenses out of her tournament winnings, as sponsorships were minimal at the time.

Stacy, who joined Sabalenka’s team in 2018, describes their payment structure as a blend of modest base salaries paired with percentages of prize money, emphasizing a performance-based compensation approach. This agreement underscored their commitment to the athlete’s development over personal earnings. Early in her career, Sabalenka’s income, approximately $2 million in 2018, was largely redirected toward operational costs necessary to maintain her competitive status on tour.

As Sabalenka’s dominance on the tennis circuit solidified, notably holding the world No. 1 ranking since October 2024, her annual tournament prize money has exceeded $8.2 million since 2023. This on-court success has also attracted substantial sponsorship deals with brands such as Emirates, Gucci, and Stella Artois, many secured in recent years. Among these partnerships is a notable collaboration with health supplement company IM8, where Sabalenka serves as a global ambassador and shareholder, a deal that also benefits Stacy.

Reflecting on their progress, Stacy shared a poignant moment of gratitude while traveling on a private jet, recognizing the stark contrast from their earlier years marked by financial constraints. He underscores the importance of perseverance through career setbacks and maintaining belief in their collective process. Meanwhile, Sabalenka focuses on the present, acknowledging the emotional toll of her journey but anticipating future reflection on her remarkable achievements once her career concludes.