Aryna Sabalenka’s wild NYC dance, Stephens & Bouchard heat up the Islands and Bencic’s snowy ski trip

In a new Daily Dose of Social Media, the players continue to make the most of their off-season freedom, trading competition for travel and celebration across the globe. Leading the way is Aryna Sabalenka, who is capping off her dominant 2025 season with festive moves in New York City, celebrating her Player of the Year award with some dancing under the bright lights.

Meanwhile, other stars are seeking vastly different climates to recharge. Sloane Stephens and Eugenie Bouchard teamed up for a sun-soaked tennis getaway in the British Virgin Islands, making the most of the Caribbean heat, while Jelena Ostapenko offers a glimpse into her winter preparations back home in Latvia. From tropical beaches to cozy European winters, here is what the tour’s elite are up to this week.

Aryna Sabalenka is clearly in a festive mood. The World No. 1 was spotted in New York City, sharing a joyful video of herself dancing next to a massive Christmas tree. Her visit to the States wasn't just for sightseeing; she participated in an exhibition match and hit the media circuit to promote her upcoming "Battle of the Sexes" showdown against Nick Kyrgios.

The Belarusian has plenty of reasons to dance. On Tuesday, she was named the WTA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, securing nearly 80% of the votes from the media panel. It is a fitting cap to a dominant 2025 campaign where the 27-year-old led the tour with a 63-12 record, claimed four titles (including the US Open), reached two other major finals, and set a new financial record with $15 million in prize money.

While some chose the city, Sloane Stephens headed straight for paradise. The American shared a stunning series of photos from the British Virgin Islands, taking full advantage of the weather to enjoy some days by the sea. She wasn't alone in her Caribbean retreat; Stephens met up with former Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard for a special event on the court.

The pair participated in the Little Dix Bay Tennis Cup, hitting balls with local kids and showing off their great off-court chemistry. Stephens and Bouchard flooded their feeds with content, sharing selfies on the court and exchanging fun comments on each other's posts after a fun-filled weekend. “A few days in paradise! 🎾✨ Thank you @rosewoodlittledixbay for having @geniebouchard and me at the Little Dix Bay Tennis Cup this past weekend! Shoutout to the kids who came out and joined us on the court.”

While many WTA and ATP stars flock to the beach during the offseason, Belinda Bencic stayed true to her roots. The Swiss star spent the past weekend on a ski trip in St. Moritz, enjoying family time in the snow. She wasn't just there to ski; the former Olympic gold medalist was a spectator at the Ski World Cup, posing for photos with fans and even some of the competitors.

Bencic finished a strong season as World No. 11, highlighted by a 7-match winning streak that saw her lift the Tokyo Open title before a physical issue forced her to retire at the Hong Kong Open. Despite the abrupt end, her 2025 was a success, featuring two WTA 500 titles (Abu Dhabi, Tokyo) and a run to the Wimbledon semifinals—her second career appearance in the final four of a major. “Had so much fun watching the Ski World Cup, only my second race watching live and….. Ladies, I have the biggest respect for what you are doing 🤯⚡️🚀⛷️ To my friend @michellegisin I missed you and we are all thinking of you❤️”

Jelena Ostapenko gave fans a glimpse into her offseason life from Riga, Latvia. The former French Open champion posted a carousel of photos showing her enjoying some rare downtime at home, though she hasn't completely stepped away from the grind, mixing relaxation with offseason training sessions.

'Penko' is preparing for 2026 after finishing the year as World No. 23. Her season highlights included a standout title run at the WTA 500 in Stuttgart—where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final—and a runner-up finish at the WTA 1000 in Doha against Amanda Anisimova. “Some moments at home 🤍🏡🇱🇻 #latviangirl#sweethome#riga#latvian#2025”

Former World No. 1 Simona Halep shared photos on social media from a recent shoot with Romanian magazine Treizecizero. Looking radiant and smiling, she posed with her trophies, including her cherished Wimbledon title. The two-time Grand Slam champion retired earlier this year in April, following a string of injuries that hampered the final stages of her career. She also faced the difficult challenge of remaining competitive after a 19-month absence due to a controversial doping ban—a saga that ended with the Romanian being declared innocent and returning to the Tour nearly two years after the initial suspension.