Sabalenka’s Heartwarming Encounter with Young Tennis Star in Riyadh
In a heartwarming moment before the start of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, world number one Aryna Sabalenka shared a special training session with nine-year-old Sama Al-Bakar. This event, held at the King Saud University Hall in Riyadh, highlighted the young Saudi player’s skills and brought joy to spectators.
A Special Training Session
During her preparations for the WTA Finals, Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian tennis star, was taken by surprise by the talent of Sama Al-Bakar. At just nine years old, and standing at a height of 1.2 meters, Sama demonstrated impressive tennis skills. Sabalenka playfully remarked, “When I was nine, I didn’t know how to hit short balls… well done!” This moment of encouragement and admiration was well-received by fans and fellow players alike.
The Italian player Jasmine Paolini even paused to watch the training session before her opening match against Sabalenka in the Steffi Graf group on Sunday. This gathering showcased a blend of professional tennis with the nurturing of young talent.
Sama Al-Bakar and the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ Program
Sama Al-Bakar is a participant in the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ program, organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation and supported by the Public Investment Fund. This program aims to find and support budding talents among girls aged 9 to 12. The program provides educational experiences both on and off the court, helping young players like Sama develop their skills.
Aryna Sabalenka enters the WTA Finals at the top of the world rankings, a position she has held for over a year. She has achieved the most titles and the fewest losses this season among the participating players, making her interaction with Sama Al-Bakar an inspiring moment for all.
Source: Annahar
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