Aryna Sabalenka is known as the ‘Tiger’. The world No. 1 was born in 1998, the year of the tiger, and has a tattoo of the big cat inked across her forearm. The tiger has become a running theme for the four-time Grand Slam champion, who recently wore a fluffy, tiger-print Gucci jacket worth £36k ($48k) at a party in Miami, and often receives tiger-themed gifts from fans.

However, Sabalenka says her own team haven’t been so kind, instead giving her a more “offensive” nickname. The world No. 1 has a tight-knit group around her, including tennis coaches Anton Dubrov and Max Mirnyi, and performance coach Jason Stacy. They have a great relationship, and Sabalenka has even dubbed them ‘Team Tiger’, but it seems they’ve not been as nice in return.

After reaching the Miami Open semi-finals, Sabalenka was asked about nicknames and joked that her support team had a very different monicker for her, which she couldn’t repeat. “A nickname from myself, I guess it’s just Tiger,” she said.

“How my team calls me… That’s going to be really offensive! I wish they would call me a tiger, but it’s something else, not that nice.”

Sabalenka’s team might change their tune if she pulls off a rare feat and completes the Sunshine Double this weekend – winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. The world No. 1 is now just two match wins away from doing the double.

“I have to be honest. I enjoy our rivalry, and I enjoy our battles,” Sabalenka said ahead of their second meeting in 11 days. “I really enjoy it because we both push each other to the limit, and I feel like this kind of match makes me a better player, and this is where I actually grow. So I really enjoy it. There’s nothing that really bothers me. I’m super excited to play her.”

Sabalenka is also the reigning champion in Miami. Should she defend her title, she’ll become the fifth woman to complete the Sunshine Double, and the first since Iga Swiatek in 2022. But she’s trying not to think about it

“I feel like it’s really important to keep the same routine, not really pay attention to the rounds,” she told Tennis Channel. “Just take it one step at a time, it doesn’t matter if it’s the first round, if it’s the final, I think that’s important. I feel like if you start changing your routine, at the end of the tournament, this is where you shift your focus and you give too much attention to this.”