In the shadow of the Alps, where the chill of early winter bites just enough to sharpen the senses, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka stepped away from the baseline for a rare moment of reflection. Fresh off a grueling 2025 season that saw her claim her second Australian Open title and a WTA Finals trophy in Riyadh, the Belarusian powerhouse is finally exhaling. “Time to chill,” she posted on Instagram earlier this week, a simple caption beneath a photo of her bundled up on a snowy hike, ski poles in hand. It’s a mantra she’s leaning into as the off-season beckons, and in an exclusive sit-down with WTA Insider, Sabalenka unpacked the highs, the heartaches, and the hard-won art of switching off.
At 27, Sabalenka’s journey has been anything but linear. The year kicked off with fireworks in Melbourne—her 7-5, 6-3 demolition of Zheng Qinwen in the final marking back-to-back triumphs Down Under and solidifying her as the queen of the hard courts. But glory came laced with grief: just weeks later, she mourned the sudden passing of ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov, a former NHL player whose death sent shockwaves through her inner circle. “2025 tested me in ways I never imagined,” Sabalenka admitted, her voice steady but eyes distant as she gazed out over the Turin foothills. “Winning the Finals was incredible, but it was also therapy. Every point felt like a step forward, a way to honor the chaos.”
Her on-court dominance was undeniable—97% win rate on hard courts, a career-high 68 victories, and a third consecutive year atop the rankings. Yet, cracks showed in Paris, where a quarterfinal exit to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros exposed vulnerabilities on clay. “Clay’s my nemesis,” she laughed, sipping herbal tea in a cozy café overlooking the Po River. “But honestly? I’m done beating myself up. Time to chill means accepting that not every surface is mine to conquer.” It’s a philosophical shift for the player once known for her fiery outbursts and racquet-smashing theatrics. Therapy, yoga, and a newfound love for trail running have tempered the storm, transforming raw power into sustainable fire.
Looking ahead to 2026—a Grand Slam quadruple chase and the looming Paris Olympics—Sabalenka’s calendar is selective. She’s skipping the United Cup to prioritize rest, eyeing a strong Australian swing before testing the grass at Wimbledon, where she reached her first final last July. Off the court, her Sabalenka Foundation expands with mental health initiatives in Belarus, inspired by her own battles with anxiety. “I’ve screamed my way through enough pressers,” she quipped. “Now, I want to scream about helping others find their chill.”
As snow flurries danced outside, Sabalenka zipped up her parka, ready for a quick ski session in nearby Sestriere. “The mountains remind me: sometimes, the best serve is the one you don’t hit,” she said, flashing that trademark grin. For a woman who’s redefined power tennis, embracing the pause might just be her most powerful move yet. Fans can catch her next chapter unfold at the Brisbane International in December, but for now, in this fleeting Turin interlude, Aryna Sabalenka is exactly where she needs to be—grounded, grateful, and gloriously chilled.
