Aryna Sabalenka didn’t just lose a match at Wimbledon—she lost her cool, then found her peace. After a straight-sets defeat to Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16, the world No. 1 vowed to “get completely drunk, forget about tennis, and try to get in better shape.” Now, she’s making good on that promise, swapping the grass courts for the sandy shores of Mykonos, Greece.
Sabalenka shared a stunning swimsuit photo on Instagram with the simple caption: “Taking a minute to myself.” The image, radiating confidence and calm, shows the Belarusian star lounging by the Aegean Sea—a far cry from the intensity of Centre Court. It’s a deliberate pause after a season that’s been anything but quiet.
Her Wimbledon exit stung. Ranked No. 1 in the world, Sabalenka entered the tournament as a heavy favorite but fell to Osaka 6-2, 7-6 (2). When asked afterward if she still felt like the best player on tour, she didn’t mince words. “I mean, let’s just look at the rankings. So, by now, I’m world No. 1. Level-wise, today, I wasn’t world No. 1. Yesterday, I was world No. 1… I don’t even want to think about ranking at this point.” That raw honesty resonated with fans who’ve seen her fight through pressure before.
Sabalenka hasn’t won a Grand Slam this year, but her hard-court credentials are undeniable. She captured titles at Indian Wells and Miami earlier in 2026, reminding everyone why she’s the top seed heading into the US Open. Her game is built for the blazing New York hard courts, where she’s already lifted the trophy twice. The question isn’t whether she can win—it’s whether she can reset mentally after a disappointing grass season.
This isn’t the first time a top women’s tennis star has turned to a beach getaway after a tough loss. Iga Swiatek did the same after her own Wimbledon exit, posting a swimsuit shot from the coast. And Maria Sharapova once sent fans into a frenzy with a similar vacation snap. It’s a reminder that even the fiercest competitors need time to recharge.
For Sabalenka, the pressure will only intensify as the US Open approaches. She’ll be favored to win a third title in Flushing Meadows, but the mental game is everything. Her Mykonos escape suggests she’s prioritizing that off-court balance. “I just want to go get completely drunk, forget about tennis, and try to get in better shape,” she said after Wimbledon. The swimsuit photo signals she’s already working on step two.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff held her head high after a gutting Wimbledon semifinal loss, showing a different kind of resilience. But Sabalenka’s path is her own. She knows the rankings don’t lie—she’s still world No. 1. And if her Instagram is any indication, she’s ready to fight for that spot when the hard-court season kicks off.
Will the break pay off? Only time will tell. But one thing’s certain: Aryna Sabalenka isn’t hiding from her loss. She’s soaking up the sun, owning her moment, and preparing for the next battle. The US Open can’t come soon enough.
