“Can we do it quick? I want to go to the Maldives”: Aryna Sabalenka keeps it real after WTA Finals heartbreak

Aryna Sabalenka walked into the press room in Riyadh with a smile that barely hid her exhaustion. Minutes after falling to Elena Rybakina 3–6, 6–7(0) in the WTA Finals championship match, the World No. 1 greeted reporters with the most Aryna Sabalenka line imaginable: “Can we do it quick? I want to go to the Maldives.” It was equal parts humor and honesty — a perfect snapshot of a player who has carried both grace and grit through another grueling season.

For the second year in a row, Sabalenka finished as the world’s top-ranked player, but the year-end trophy still slipped through her hands. It was her ninth final of the season and, despite four titles, she once again found herself on the losing side of the sport’s biggest stages. “She played incredible,” Sabalenka said about her rival Rybakina. “I feel like I did my best today. It didn’t work, but I think there are so many things I have to be proud of.”

Her tone was reflective rather than regretful. “I’m leaving this tournament without any disappointment,” she continued. “I leave being proud of myself and the things that we’ve been able to achieve.” It was a rare, candid look into a player learning to measure success by more than trophies. Sabalenka’s season had been one of resilience — a Grand Slam champion, multiple finals, and a relentless commitment to improvement.

The Belarusian star also spoke with refreshing humor about how she plans to recover. “Sometimes players are just better on the day than you,” the 4-time major champion admitted. “The good thing is that I’m always there. The bad thing this season is that I lost most of the biggest finals I made. So I guess I’ll just sit back in the Maldives having my probably tequila and think back and try to analyze my behavior, my emotions.”

The World No. 1 finished the season with nine finals, lifting four titles. She suffered painful defeats on the biggest stages — the Australian Open final against Madison Keys, the Roland Garros final against Coco Gauff, and this time, the WTA Finals against Rybakina. “It’s been pretty good so far,” she said, reflecting on her strong 2025 campaign. “I just need to get a little bit better with myself, a little bit more, and hopefully next season I’ll improve.”

On court, under the Riyadh lights, Sabalenka’s runner-up speech mirrored her press conference tone — gracious, emotional, and sprinkled with humor. “Maybe not the best performance, but Elena, you were definitely the better player today,” she said with a smile. “You literally smashed me out of the court! So very well done. I am happy to see you playing your best tennis. Nice comeback at the end of the season — and now it’s time to enjoy our off-season, and enjoy this beautiful trophy.”

Then, as she turned to her team, Sabalenka’s voice cracked slightly. “I guess I am getting old, I am getting really sensitive,” she joked, wiping away a tear. “So many things to be proud of. Thank you, guys.”

Sabalenka ends her season with a 63–12 record and close to $15 million in prize money — largely thanks to her U.S. Open title, the fourth major of her career, and deep runs to two other Grand Slam finals and the championship match in Riyadh. She now plans a well-deserved rest before returning in 2026 to try to reclaim the Australian Open crown she won in both 2023 and 2024.