Aryna Sabalenka narrowly missed out on making history with the largest payday in women’s tennis, but that hasn’t put a damper on her plans to unwind and savor her successful season with some well-deserved relaxation.

The tennis ace from Belarus came up short of claiming a record £3.98 million prize on Saturday after falling to Elena Rybakina in the WTA Finals held in Saudi Arabia.

At 26, Rybakina delivered an outstanding performance, defeating the four-time Grand Slam champion with a decisive 6-3, 7-6 (7-0) victory, marking the end of Sabalenka’s season.

Despite the loss, Sabalenka maintained a positive perspective, expressing satisfaction with her overall performance this year and revealing plans to celebrate her achievements with a tequila toast in the Maldives.

“After some reflection, I feel great. Although I lost, Rybakina played exceptionally well. I gave it my all, and while it didn’t pan out, I leave this tournament proud of myself and all that I’ve accomplished this year,” she remarked.

Aryna Sabalenka is heading for the Maldives and has said she will ‘drink tequila’ while analysing her season

Sabalenka missed out on a record £3.98m prize fund by losing the WTA Finals to Elena Rybakina on Saturday

‘I can say that from all the mistakes I made this year, next time we will come more prepared and with better control in big matches. 

‘Maybe I was a little emotional today, but it didn’t affect my game. I just didn’t take advantage of some of the chances I had. 

‘Now it’s time to sit down in the Maldives, maybe drink some tequila and analyse my season, my behavior and emotions. I think it’s been great so far, I just need to be even better with myself and continue to improve next year.’ 

Overall, it has been a year to remember for Sabalenka, despite the crushing defeat in Saudi Arabia.

She won her fourth grand slam of the year in September when she beat Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 to win the US Open for the second consecutive year.

Win or lose, she loves to have fun. Back in her locker room post-match, Sabalenka’s team drenched each other in champagne before the 27-year-old told reporters: ‘Oh girl, we’re gonna drink.’ 

The celebrations didn’t stop that night, with Sabalenka now enjoying a luxurious holiday with her Brazilian entrepreneur boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, who she has been dating since April 2024. 

She shared snaps of the getaway to her Instagram on Monday, showing the pair soaking up the sun on a lavish yacht in an unknown location. 

Sabalenka has had a fairly successful season, winning the US Open final back in September

She celebrated the triumph by jetting away with her partner Georgios Frangulis 

The triumph at Flushing Meadows was a relief for Sabalenka, who suffered heartache in the finals of both the French Open and the Australian Open earlier this season.

Those two finals also showcased how Sabalenka’s emotions can get the better of her, as they did in Saudi on Saturday. But at the US Open, she managed to keep them in check to get one over Anisimova. 

‘After those two finals where I completely lost control over my emotions, I just didn’t want that to happen again,’ Sabalenka said.

‘There were a few moments when I was this close to just let it go. I was like “C’mon now, you have to stay focused. Keep going, keep trying.” It’s really helped me.

‘I think I have to keep the same mindset every time – hopefully I’m going to make many more finals – so every time I’m in the final, I have to stick to the same plan.’