The sun-kissed shores of Greece, with their turquoise waters and balmy breezes, provided a much-needed escape for Aryna Sabalenka after a heart-wrenching defeat at the 2025 French Open. The World No. 1, who fell to Coco Gauff in a thrilling three-set final on June 7, had taken a set lead only to see her dreams of a second Roland Garros title slip away due to an erratic performance under pressure. Seeking solace, Sabalenka jetted off to Greece with her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, a Brazilian entrepreneur and race car driver whose vibrant energy matches her own. Their romantic getaway, filled with seaside moments and playful antics, was a brief respite from the grind of the WTA Tour. But as the grass-court season looms, Sabalenka has traded beach vibes for Berlin’s green courts, reuniting with her “soulmate” and best friend, Paula Badosa, to prepare for the Berlin Ladies Open.
Sabalenka’s Greek vacation was a snapshot of joy, captured in Frangulis’ Instagram Stories where the Belarusian star stuck out her tongue against a stunning coastal backdrop. The couple, who began dating in April 2024, have become a dynamic duo, their bond strengthened by shared adventures like attending the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Sabalenka danced to “The Ketchup Song” in a pink racing suit. Frangulis, the founder of the açaí brand Oakberry, has been a steadfast supporter, cheering Sabalenka through her 2024 triumphs, including titles at the Australian Open, Cincinnati Open, and US Open. “In love with a champ,” he commented on her Cincinnati victory post, to which she replied, “More than anything else.” Their relationship, which went public after a rain-soaked stroll in May 2024, has been a source of stability for Sabalenka, especially after the tragic loss of her ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, in March 2024.
Arriving in Berlin for the WTA 500 Berlin Ladies Open, Sabalenka wasted no time reconnecting with Badosa, her closest confidante on the tour. The pair, who call each other “soulmates,” shared a warm moment captured in Sabalenka’s Instagram Story, their smiles signaling a friendship that transcends their on-court rivalry. “I love Paula very much. We have been friends for three or four years,” Sabalenka said in a 2024 interview, highlighting their bond forged through tough times, including Badosa’s support during Sabalenka’s grief in Miami 2024. Badosa, who made a stunning comeback in 2024 after a back injury, won the Citi Open and reached the US Open quarterfinals, earning the WTA’s Comeback Player of the Year award. “Cuties,” Badosa commented on Sabalenka’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix post, a testament to their playful, heartfelt connection.
The Berlin Ladies Open marks a critical step in Sabalenka’s quest for a first Wimbledon title. Her 2024 season was stellar, with a 40-7 win-loss record and titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid, but grass remains a frontier to conquer. Last year’s Berlin campaign ended in the quarterfinals due to shoulder pain, forcing her to skip Wimbledon 2024. Now, fully recovered, Sabalenka is determined to harness her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes on the fast surface. “This trophy means a lot, it is a really big achievement, especially coming after injury,” she said after her Cincinnati win, a sentiment that fuels her 2025 grass-court ambitions.
Sabalenka’s French Open loss to Gauff, a 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-4 battle, was a bitter pill, but her resilience shines through. “It’s tough to play your best friend,” she said after defeating Badosa at the 2024 French Open, emphasizing their ability to “separate court and life.” In Berlin, alongside Badosa, Sabalenka is poised to channel that competitive fire while leaning on their friendship for support. As she prepares for Wimbledon, where she reached the semifinals in 2021 and 2023, Sabalenka’s journey—from Greek beaches to Berlin’s grass—reflects her ability to find balance, drawing strength from love, friendship, and an unyielding drive to dominate.
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