World No. 1 Sabalenka becomes Emirates’ first tennis ambassador
Star player unveils Grand Slam-themed A380 livery
DUBAI – Emirates has announced a landmark partnership with world No. 1 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, who becomes the airline’s first tennis ambassador.
To mark the collaboration, Sabalenka unveiled an Emirates A380 adorned with a tennis-inspired livery celebrating the airline’s sponsorship of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
The 27-year-old athlete has enjoyed a dominant period in her career. She is a four-time Grand Slam champion, having claimed her second US Open title in September last year. Sabalenka won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 and finished as runner-up at AO25. She has also been named WTA Tour Player of the Year for the past two seasons.
Emirates’ first tennis ambassador
Reflecting on the announcement, 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 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. 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, added: “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.”
Emirates and sports
Emirates’ tennis portfolio spans the four Grand Slams and top-tier ATP and WTA events, including the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Beyond tennis, the airline’s sports partnerships connect fans worldwide. These include horse racing with the Dubai World Cup and Team Godolphin; golf with the DP World Tour; cricket across ICC events and the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires; sailing with Emirates Team New Zealand, SailGP, and Emirates Great Britain Sail GP; basketball with the NBA, Real Madrid and Beirut Basketball Club; cycling with UAE Team Emirates XRG; and Australian rules football with Collingwood FC.
Iconic branding
Emirates’ branding is visible across football, including Arsenal FC, Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, S.L. Benfica, Olympique Lyonnais, and FC Bayern Munich, where it serves as Platinum Partner. The airline also has a long-standing title sponsorship of The FA Cup and supports the UAE Pro League, appearing on Al Ain FC’s training kit for the 2025/26 season.