Aryna Sabalenka has made a big career move by leaving IMG, the agency that has represented her since 2019, to join Naomi Osaka’s sports agency, Evolve. IMG has managed Sabalenka’s career for years, handling her sponsorships, endorsements and other professional matters.

In 2022, Osaka parted ways with International Management Group (IMG), a global agency specializing in sports, events and talent management. After six years as a representative, her contract with IMG ended at the end of 2021.

In May 2022, Osaka announced the launch of her own sports company, Evolve, with Stuart Duguid, her former IMG pointman, following suit. The company signed its first client, Nick Kyrgios, on June 20, 2022.

On Friday, November 3, Osaka’s agency announced on Instagram that Aryna Sabalenka had joined their squad. The post contained a warm greeting and read:

“Welcome to EVOLVE @arynasabalenka 🐯.”

Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka arrive at the Brisbane and Auckland SFs

Aryna Sabalenka has made it to the semi-finals of the Brisbane International, while Naomi Osaka has secured her place in the semi-finals of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Sabalenka got off to an impressive start to the 2025 season in Brisbane. On December 31, 2024, the Belarusian secured a commanding 6-4, 6-0 win in her opening game against Renata Zarazua.

She then met Yulia Putintseva and emerged victorious with a hard-fought score of 7:6 (7), 6:4. The world No. 1 continued her strong form and triumphed in the quarterfinals on January 3, defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4. With the win, Sabalenka moved into the semi-finals against Mirra Andreeva.

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka has made it to the semi-finals at the Auckland Classic, marking her first such success since the Miami Open in April 2022.

Osaka picked up her first win at the ASB Classic on December 30, 2024, defeating Lina Glushko 6-4, 6-4. The Japanese continued her impressive form on January 1, defeating Austria’s Julia Grabher with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

On Friday, the former world No. 1 battled through unseeded Hailey Baptiste to secure a 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2 victory. She will now face either eighth-seeded Katie Volynets or unseeded Alycia Parks in the semifinals of the WTA 250 tournament on Saturday, January 4th.

Once those tournaments are over, Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka will head to the Australian Open, which runs January 12-26.