Aryna Sabalenka's Racket and Gear
You can hear an Aryna Sabalenka forehand before you see it. The Belarusian hits one of the heaviest balls in women's tennis, and it might surprise you that she does it with a racket built for control, not raw power. Here is what she plays with in 2026, how it has changed, and what you can actually buy if you want to try it.
What Racket Does Aryna Sabalenka Use?
Sabalenka is a Wilson player and has used the Wilson Blade 98 family for years. The Blade is Wilson's classic control frame: a 98-square-inch head, a relatively thin, flexible beam, and a feel that rewards players who generate their own pace. Sabalenka generates plenty.
Crucially, she plays the 18x20 string pattern, the denser version of the Blade. More strings mean a lower launch angle and more control, which suits someone who swings as hard as she does. The retail signature editions sold with her name on them have mostly been the more open 16x19 version, which is friendlier for club players. So "her" racket in the shop is not exactly the one in her bag.
Racket History: V9 to V10
- Blade 98 18x20 v9: her main frame through 2024 and 2025, the seasons in which she won the US Open twice and spent all of 2025 at world No. 1. At the 2025 US Open, Wilson released a limited "Fighter" edition Blade 98 16x19 v9 that she helped design: a fiery, flame-themed cosmetic with her tiger tattoo on the throat, and roughly 1,000 frames worldwide. Her brief to the designers was simple: "It must have fire."
- Blade 98 18x20 v10 (2026): Wilson overhauled the Blade for 2026 with a new tapered beam that adds a touch more power. Sabalenka was seen testing a blacked-out version in early 2026 and moved to the v10, which launched at retail in mid-April 2026.
- "Saby Tiger" edition (2026): a limited green cosmetic of the Blade 98 16x19 v10, with a tiger-print design and a tiger face inside the throat, inspired by the tiger tattoo on her arm. She used it during the North American hard-court swing in Toronto and Cincinnati, and it reached shops in August 2026.
Racket Specifications
Specs reported by gear specialists for her match rackets are roughly:
- Strung weight: about 324 g
- Balance: about 32.7 cm
- Swing weight: about 326
- Head size / pattern: 98 sq in, 18x20
For comparison, a retail Blade 98 v10 weighs about 305 g unstrung, so her set-up is a little heavier and more stable than stock, but not dramatically customised. Wilson has not published an official spec sheet for her rackets, so treat these numbers as well-informed estimates rather than gospel.
String Setup
Sabalenka is reported to use a Luxilon hybrid: Luxilon Alu Power in the mains and Luxilon Ace in the crosses. Alu Power is one of the most popular polyester strings on tour, crisp and controllable at high swing speeds. Her string tension has not been made public, so any number you see quoted should be treated with caution.
How the Racket Matches Her Game
Sabalenka's game is first-strike tennis: a big first serve, a heavy forehand and a flat, penetrating backhand, all aimed at ending points in three or four shots. Her biggest challenge historically was control rather than power, including a period in 2021-2022 when her serve deserted her and she hit double faults in bunches.
That is why an 18x20 control frame makes sense. It lets her swing freely without the ball flying long. The slight extra power of the v10 has not hurt either: she won the Indian Wells and Miami "Sunshine Double" in March 2026 with the new generation in her hands.
Clothing and Shoes
Sabalenka wears Nike clothing and shoes. Her outfits, often bold colours matched with her own tiger branding, have become part of her image on court.
Her 2026 Season So Far
The racket has been busy. Sabalenka reached the Australian Open final in January, losing a three-set match to Elena Rybakina, then won Indian Wells and Miami back to back. She reached the semi-finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon, and in September reached the US Open final again, this time losing to Rybakina. By mid-September 2026 she had 24 career titles, four Grand Slam titles (Australian Open 2023 and 2024, US Open 2024 and 2025) and was ranked No. 2 in the world.
Similar Rackets You Can Buy Today
- Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v10 (standard or "Saby Tiger"): the most accessible way to get close to her racket. More spin-friendly and forgiving than her 18x20.
- Wilson Blade 98 18x20 v10: exactly her pattern. Great control, but you need a fast, full swing to make it work.
- Wilson Blade 100: a bigger head and more forgiveness, a good choice for club players who like the Blade feel.
A word of honesty: most recreational players will enjoy the 16x19 more. The 18x20 feels wonderful when you hit it cleanly, and punishing when you do not.
For strings, a softer polyester or a multifilament at moderate tension is more arm-friendly than a full Alu Power set-up. If you're interested in how her racket success translates into earnings, read our guide to how much tennis players earn.