Fans are talking. It's basically impossible to scroll through a tennis forum or a high-fashion Instagram comment section lately without seeing someone mention the world number one’s face. Specifically, they're looking at Aryna Sabalenka lips before and after shots to see if the "Tigress" has been spending time in a cosmetic chair between Grand Slam wins.
Honestly, it’s kind of wild. Sabalenka is currently dominating the tour, fresh off a 2025 US Open title and a 2026 Brisbane win. But while her serve is the most dangerous thing on the court, her aesthetic evolution is what's fueling the tabloid fire. You've probably noticed it yourself if you’ve followed her since her 2017 Fed Cup debut. Back then, she was this raw, powerful teenager with a very different look.
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Now? She’s a global brand.
The Evolution of the Sabalenka Smile
When Sabalenka first broke into the top 100, she had a much more "girl next door" vibe. Her features were natural, and her lips were notably thinner. If you look at photos from 2018—the year she won New Haven and Wuhan—her smile was more horizontal.
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025. The change is pretty obvious. Her upper lip has more "pout" to it, and the overall volume has increased. Most beauty experts and eagle-eyed fans on Reddit point toward hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. This isn't just random guessing; the "keyhole" look and the way the border of the lip (the vermilion border) is now more defined are classic signs of subtle work.
But it’s not just about the lips.
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A lot of the buzz around Aryna Sabalenka lips before and after actually stems from her total "Hollywood" glow-up. Around 2020 and 2023, there was a visible shift in her dental work. We’re talking professional veneers. Her teeth went from naturally slightly uneven to that blinding, symmetrical white that looks perfect under stadium lights. When you combine new veneers with fuller lips, the entire lower third of the face looks different.
Why the Sudden Change?
Athletes are basically influencers now. Sabalenka isn’t just hitting yellow balls; she’s fronting campaigns for Vogue Australia, Harper’s Bazaar, and Nike. In a 2025 interview, she mentioned that when she was younger, she didn't care about the aesthetic side of things. She was just a kid trying to win matches.
Now, at 27, she's embracing her femininity. She’s been very open about her skincare lately, even sharing a "face scan" result in late 2025 that showed her skin had the sun damage of a 55-year-old. It freaked her out! She’s now obsessively applying SPF and using eye serums. It makes sense that someone so focused on skin health would also explore other enhancements like fillers or Botox.
Some fans are critical, though. You’ll see comments saying she "ruined her natural beauty." It’s a bit harsh. In the professional tennis world, you’re in the sun for 6 hours a day. Your face takes a beating. If a little filler makes her feel more confident during a post-match press conference after she’s just spent three hours sweating in 95-degree heat, who are we to judge?
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The "Lip Flip" vs. Traditional Fillers
There’s a lot of technical debate about what exactly she’s had done.
- The Lip Flip: This uses Botox to relax the muscles around the mouth, making the upper lip "flip" upward. It gives the illusion of fullness without adding volume.
- Dermal Fillers: This is the actual injection of volume (like Juvederm or Restylane).
Comparing her 2026 Brisbane photos to her early career, it looks like a combination of both. Her lips look fuller even when she isn’t smiling, which usually points to filler.
Is it Mandatory? The Pressure of Being No. 1
The WTA tour is brutal. Sabalenka has been vocal about how "insane" the 2026 schedule is, even choosing to skip several mandatory events this year to protect her body. The mental toll of being at the top means these players look for any way to feel "normal" or "glamorous" outside of their sweaty work clothes.
She's not the only one. We’ve seen similar transformations with other top players who suddenly find themselves under the microscope of high-definition 4K cameras. It’s the "modern athlete" package: elite fitness, perfect teeth, and refined features.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking at Sabalenka’s transformation and thinking about your own aesthetic goals, here’s the reality check:
- Sun Protection is Priority One: Sabalenka’s "55-year-old skin" scan is a warning to all of us. If you’re active outdoors, SPF 50 is not optional.
- Dental Work Changes Everything: Often, what people think is "lip work" is actually the result of veneers pushing the lip out slightly.
- Fillers are Temporary: If Sabalenka did get injections, they require maintenance every 6–12 months. If she stops, her lips will likely return to their original shape.
The bottom line? Sabalenka is at the peak of her powers. Whether it’s a new serving motion or a new lip shape, she’s clearly making choices that make her feel like the best version of herself. As long as she keeps winning Slams, the "before and after" debate is just background noise to her trophy collection.