WTA Players Prioritize Off-Season Getaways
Players in the WTA circuit prioritize taking time off after a demanding season, with numerous stars opting for the same vacation spot. Following her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the final match of the 2025 WTA Finals, Aryna Sabalenka expressed a pressing need for a break. Despite a victorious run at the 2025 US Open and securing the No. 1 year-end ranking, Sabalenka’s journey this season was marked by significant near-misses, having also lost in the finals of both the Australian and French Opens.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Maldives Retreat
In her post-match press conference, the Belarusian star was quick to announce her plan for a getaway, lightheartedly urging journalists to hurry with their questions.
“Can we do it quick? I want to go to the Maldives,”
she said. Shortly after, she took to Instagram to share moments from her paradise retreat with her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, expressing gratitude to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives for their exceptional service.
“Just us 💑 Thank you for making paradise feel like home!”
Other WTA Stars in the Maldives
As the Maldives serves as a favored holiday destination for many in the WTA, it’s no surprise that other notable players like Belinda Bencic and Jelena Ostapenko also flocked to the idyllic locale. Bencic, who made a strong comeback in 2025, humorously acknowledged her numerous Instagram updates from the trip, stating,
“Leaving this paradise more than relaxed, recharged, and serene.”
Meanwhile, Ostapenko, despite a lackluster performance post her victory at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, drew attention with her unique plans to sell her used items online.
Naomi Osaka’s Caribbean Escape
In contrast, Naomi Osaka chose the Caribbean for her off-season escape with fellow player Taylor Townsend, sharing a lively video of their yacht dancing session featuring tracks like Nicki Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap” and the classic “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes. Osaka’s season ended a bit earlier than she had desired, as she exited the 2025 Japan Championships before reaching the quarterfinals and pulled out of the Japan Open. However, she had a successful North American swing, including a semifinal appearance at the US Open.
Other Players’ Off-Season Plans
Amanda Anisimova returned home to New York shortly after reaching the US Open final, seeking comfort and closeness to her family post a grueling travel schedule. In contrast, Yulia Putintseva took a different route, spending some initial time in Japan before heading to Paris, following a challenging season filled with competitive intensity and notable confrontations, highlighted by her fraught exchange with Maria Sakkari, who remarked that
“no one liked her.”
Conclusion
As WTA players unwind during the off-season, these getaways serve not only as a necessary respite but also a chance to reset ahead of the upcoming competitive season.
