It was supposed to be the crowning moment of Aryna Sabalenka’s season a shot at the richest single payday in women’s tennis history. Instead, the Belarusian powerhouse fell agonizingly short, losing to Elena Rybakina in the WTA Finals on Saturday, November 8.
And the emotions? They came flooding out.
Moments after the final point, cameras captured Sabalenka breaking down in tears, her frustration spilling over as she smashed her racket before sinking into her chair. The microphones nearby didn’t miss much either catching her muttering something under her breath in Russian: “Once a year even the stick shoots.”
It’s a biting idiom one that basically implies Rybakina’s triumph was a lucky shot, not the fruit of her own brilliance. In that instant, the world No. 1 sounded less like the composed champion we’re used to, and more like a player who couldn’t quite stomach a tough defeat.
From Frustration to Respect
But to her credit, once the dust settled, Sabalenka managed to pull herself back together and acknowledge her rival.
“I’m getting old, I’m getting really sensitive,” she admitted with a half-smile during the trophy ceremony. “There’s so much to be proud of. Not my best performance she was definitely the better player. She literally smashed me out of the court.”
It was an honest moment from a player known for her fierce competitiveness a confession that showed a softer, humbler side beneath all the fire.
Records Still Fall
Even in defeat, Sabalenka walked away with history on her side. Her runner-up prize of $2.695 million pushed her 2025 season earnings to a staggering $15 million, smashing Serena Williams’ previous record of $12.385 million set back in 2013.
So yes no trophy this time, but still, a record-breaking year.
One of the high points? Her dominant run at the 2025 U.S. Open, where she defended her title in commanding fashion by defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. That night, Sabalenka’s tone couldn’t have been more different from her WTA Finals outburst.
Class at the U.S. Open
On that occasion, she was gracious, supportive, almost tender.
“Congrats, Amanda, on reaching back-to-back Slam finals Wimbledon and the U.S. Open,” Sabalenka said in her on-court speech. “I know how much it hurts to lose in a final. But trust me once you win your first one, it’ll feel incredible. You’re playing amazing tennis!”
Then, turning a big moment into a pep talk, she added: “Congrats to you and your team on everything you’ve achieved after your comeback. Girl, you’re going to enjoy it even more after those tough losses.”
It was classic Sabalenka raw emotion mixed with sportsmanship the kind of speech that showed why she’s respected not just as a player, but as a person who’s lived every bit of the grind.
Season Reflections and a Look Ahead
A day after her WTA Finals heartbreak, Sabalenka posted a carousel of photos on Instagram, putting the whole year into perspective.
“And that’s a wrap on the 2025 season!” she wrote. “This was a tough year, but incredibly rewarding. A Grand Slam title, World No. 1 for the second consecutive year , and a few trophies later… I couldn’t have done it without Team Tiger the people that are by my side time and time again. I’ve learned so many lessons through the ups and downs of every tournament and the training in between. Beyond blessed and grateful for it all. 2026 season bring it on!”
Her boyfriend, entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, chimed in with a comment that drew plenty of likes: “One more meu amor! Can’t wait for 2026.”
The two have been inseparable since meeting in January 2024, going Instagram official later that summer. Speaking to Us Weekly in June 2025, Sabalenka opened up about how much his presence means to her during the relentless tennis calendar.
“His support means so much to me,” she said. “Being on the road and having him there making me laugh, working out together it just makes life on tour feel more like home.”
A Fiery Finish to a Monumental Year
So yes, the WTA Finals ended in tears and frustration but also in reflection. Sabalenka might have lost the battle to Rybakina, yet she remains the face of women’s tennis right now: powerful, emotional, unapologetically human.
If anything, her breakdown only reminded fans why she’s so compelling to watch. She feels every point, lives every moment, and never hides who she is. And that’s why, heading into 2026, you can bet she’ll be back louder, tougher, and maybe just a little wiser.
I am a journalist with 10+ years of experience, specializing in family-friendly film reviews.