🦈 Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is unwinding in the Maldives after concluding her demanding season at the WTA Finals. The vacation follows her straight-sets loss to Elena Rybakina in the Riyadh final, a result that cost the four-time Grand Slam winner a record-breaking £3.98 million payday.
High-Stakes Holiday Adventure
Sabalenka quickly moved past her end-of-season disappointment by embracing adventure in the Indian Ocean. She shared highlights of her trip on Instagram, including a guided swim with several reef sharks in shallow, clear water.
In the shared clip, Sabalenka, wearing a yellow bikini and a snorkel mask, moved slowly and held her position as the sharks circled close by. At one point, two sharks passed directly beneath her, and a third approached from the side, showcasing her calm during the “nervy encounter.”
Time for Reflection and Tequila
Sabalenka is enjoying the tropical retreat with her boyfriend, Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, using the holiday to switch off after a long series of high-pressure events.
Following the WTA Finals, she put her season into perspective:
> “I lost, but she played amazingly. I think I did my best. It didn’t work, but I’m leaving this tournament proud of myself and everything we’ve achieved this year.”
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She specifically mentioned that the break would be used for reflection: “Now it’s time to sit down in the Maldives, maybe drink some tequila and analyse my season, my behavior and emotions.”
Successful Season Review
Despite the final loss, Sabalenka had a tremendous year, reaching major finals in Melbourne, Paris, and New York. Her most significant achievement was claiming her second consecutive US Open title in September. She highlighted her improved emotional control as one of the biggest steps forward in her game this year.