Emirates Makes History with Aryna Sabalenka as First-Ever Tennis Ambassador
Emirates has unveiled a historic global partnership with world No. 1 women’s tennis star, Aryna Sabalenka, appointing the four-time Grand Slam champion as the airline’s first-ever tennis ambassador in a move that underscores its enduring commitment to the sport.
The landmark collaboration reinforces Emirates’ status as the Official Airline of all four Grand Slam tournaments worldwide — the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
To mark the announcement, Sabalenka officially unveiled an Emirates A380 aircraft featuring a specially designed tennis-inspired livery, celebrating the airline’s sponsorship of tennis’ most prestigious global events.
Emirates and Sabalenka share core values rooted in excellence, innovation and a relentless pursuit of success. Dubai’s long-standing role as a base for Sabalenka’s training and preparation further cements the natural synergy between the Belarusian tennis icon and the Dubai-based airline.
The partnership comes at the height of a remarkable period in Sabalenka’s career. At just 27, she has already established herself as one of the most dominant players of her generation, becoming a four-time Grand Slam champion after clinching her second US Open title in September last year.
She previously lifted back-to-back Australian Open trophies in 2023 and 2024 and finished as runner-up at the 2025 edition. Her outstanding performances have also earned her the WTA Tour Player of the Year award for two consecutive seasons.
Speaking on the partnership, Sabalenka said the alliance reflects a shared commitment to detail, ambition and excellence. “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,” she said.
“Travelling in world-class 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. I feel proud and excited to partner with Emirates, a brand whose values of quality and excellence closely align with mine,” she added.
Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, Boutros Boutros, described Sabalenka as a powerful symbol of determination and global excellence.
“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,” Boutros said. “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 look forward to creating unique opportunities for fans to experience the Emirates journey, both in the air and at the heart of the sport – from offering live tennis through our ice entertainment system to bringing a taste of Australia to our in-flight menu. We are excited to see what Aryna can achieve at the Australian Open and beyond in 2026.”
Emirates’ extensive portfolio of sports and cultural partnerships continues to connect millions of fans worldwide through shared passions and premium experiences.
In tennis, the airline supports some of the most prestigious events on the ATP and WTA tours, including the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, alongside its role as Official Airline of all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Beyond tennis, Emirates maintains a strong presence across global sport, spanning horse racing through the Dubai World Cup and Team Godolphin; golf via the DP World Tour; cricket across major ICC events, the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Lancashire County Cricket Club; sailing with Emirates Team New Zealand, SailGP and the Emirates Great Britain SailGP team; basketball through partnerships with the NBA, Real Madrid and Beirut Basketball Club; cycling with UAE Team Emirates XRG; and Australian rules football with Collingwood FC.
The airline’s iconic Fly Better branding is also visible across world football, appearing on the kits of leading clubs including Arsenal FC, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, SL Benfica and Olympique Lyonnais.
Emirates is a Platinum Partner of FC Bayern Munich’s first team, the long-standing title sponsor of The FA Cup, and a supporter of domestic football in the UAE, including the Pro League and Al Ain FC during the 2025/2026 season.
With the appointment of Aryna Sabalenka as its inaugural tennis ambassador, Emirates has further reinforced its position at the intersection of elite sport, global influence and premium air travel.
