Two Belarusian tennis players. Two eras. Arina Sobolenko and Maxim Mirny. One — a legend of the doubles, former world champion. The other — the current world No. 1 in singles. What do they have in common? Patriotism, talent, and hard work. What sets them apart? Style, generation, fate. We tell about two heroes of Belarusian sports.

Maxim Mirny: the king of doubles tennis

Maxim Mirny was born in 1977 in Minsk. Height — 196 cm. Nickname — "The Beast" (for his powerful serve). Professional since 1996. Achievements: 10 Grand Slam titles in men's and mixed doubles, Olympic medals. He won Wimbledon and the US Open in doubles. He retired in 2018. Now — captain of the Belarusian Davis Cup team.

Playing style: powerful serve (up to 220 km/h), excellent play at the net.

Arina Sobolenko: the queen of singles

Born in 1998 in Minsk. Height — 182 cm. Achievements: world No. 1 (2025), 6 Grand Slam titles (as of 2026), including the Australian Open (2023, 2024), US Open (2024). Style: aggressive, powerful, forehand. Problem: psychology (had breakdowns before, but overcame them). In 2026, she is the leader of the Belarusian team in the Billie Jean King Cup.

Common and different

Both grew up in Minsk, but at different times. Mirny started when Belarus was just gaining independence. Sobolenko — in a stable country. Both love the hockey club "Dinamo". Both represented Belarus at the Olympics (Mirny — 2008, 2012, 2016; Sobolenko — 2020, 2024). Mirny won an Olympic bronze (2012, mixed with Victoria Azarenka). Sobolenko has none yet (was 4th in 2024).

Mirny is known for his charity work (children's aid foundation). Sobolenko is less public. Mirny retired at 41. Sobolenko at 28 (2026) — in her prime.

Influence on each other

Sobolenko admitted in an interview that Mirny was her idol in childhood. She watched his matches on TV. Mirny, in turn, praises Sobolenko: "She makes Belarus famous. I am proud." They did not play together (different generation, Mirny — doubles player, Sobolenko — singles player). But they participated in exhibition matches together (such as supporting the foundation).

Both are ambassadors of tennis in Belarus.

Arina Sobolenko and Maxim Mirny — two symbols of Belarusian sports. One has ended, the other is at the peak. But what unites them is love for their homeland and tennis. When Sobolenko wins, Mirny writes to her on Instagram: "You are the best." And this is continuity.
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