The 2025 Wimbledon Championships have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 1 women’s tennis player, whose powerful game and relentless spirit have made her a fan favorite. However, her dreams of lifting the coveted Venus Rosewater Dish were dashed in a gripping semifinal match on July 10, 2025, at Centre Court. Facing American Amanda Anisimova in a three-set thriller, Sabalenka fell 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, marking her third consecutive semifinal exit at the All England Club. Amid the heartbreak, her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, offered a touching gesture of support that has warmed the hearts of fans worldwide, underscoring the strength of their bond.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, entered Wimbledon as the top seed, carrying the weight of expectations after a stellar 2024 season that saw her clinch both the Australian Open and US Open titles. Her campaign in London was marked by resilience, including a dramatic quarterfinal victory over Laura Siegemund, where she battled back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. Reflecting on that match, Sabalenka credited her growth from a painful French Open final loss to Coco Gauff earlier in the year. “Honestly, I think there’s a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn’t learn that lesson at the French Open,” she said. “I kept reminding myself, ‘Come on, it’s the quarterfinal of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match.’”
Yet, despite her mental fortitude, the semifinal against Anisimova proved a bridge too far. The match was a seesaw battle, with both players showcasing their power and precision. Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline play and thunderous serve kept her in contention, but Anisimova’s relentless counterpunching secured the upset. Post-match, Sabalenka was candid about her complex relationship with Wimbledon. “Losing sucks, you know?” she admitted. “You always feel like you want to die, you don’t want to exist any more, and this is the end of your life. Every time you compete at that tournament, and you get to the last stages, you think that you’re getting close to your dream. Then you lose the match, and you feel like, OK, this is the end.” She added, “I lost three semis, three tough ones. Then I was banned from playing [in 2022]. Then I was injured. So I have really more of a hate relationship right now with Wimbledon, but I hope that one day I will turn it around and have [that] love relationship.”
In the wake of this disappointment, Georgios Frangulis, Sabalenka’s partner since 2024, provided a beacon of comfort. The Greek-Brazilian entrepreneur and founder of the global açaí brand Oakberry has been a constant presence in her player’s box, offering unwavering support. Following the semifinal loss, Frangulis took to Instagram with a simple yet profound two-word message: “Always love.” The comment, posted under Sabalenka’s heartfelt reflection on her Wimbledon journey, resonated deeply with fans. “Thank you for a special two weeks filled with great atmosphere and great opponents,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram, alongside photos from her time at the tournament. “I’m grateful I was able to compete this year and I will see you next year. 🍓🤍🌱”
Frangulis’s support extends beyond social media gestures. A regular fixture at Sabalenka’s matches, from the Cincinnati Open to the US Open, he has become an integral part of her journey. “His support means so much to me,” Sabalenka told a reporter in a recent interview. “Being on the road and having him support me, to make me laugh and to be able to work out together, makes life on the road feel more like home.” Their relationship, which went public during the 2024 Madrid Open, has blossomed despite Sabalenka’s past challenges, including the tragic loss of her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, in March 2024. Frangulis has been a pillar of strength, helping her navigate both personal and professional hurdles.
Their bond is also marked by lighthearted moments. Earlier in the tournament, Sabalenka and Frangulis shared a playful exchange with Coco Gauff during a practice session, mending fences after a controversial French Open final. The trio’s TikTok dance video, captioned by Sabalenka with “TikTok dances always had a way of bringing people together 🕺😜,” went viral, with Frangulis cheering on the reconciliation. His presence has also caught the attention of tennis royalty, with Novak Djokovic humorously noting that his daughter Tara adores Sabalenka—not for her tennis, but for the açaí bowls from Frangulis’s Oakberry brand. “Sabalenka is her favorite,” Djokovic laughed. “She only cares about Sabalenka because she has a fridge full of açaí.”
As Sabalenka looks-ahead to the hardcourt season, Frangulis’s steadfast support will undoubtedly fuel her pursuit of further glory. Their relationship, a blend of emotional depth and playful camaraderie, offers a glimpse into the personal side of a tennis superstar. While the sting of Wimbledon’s semifinal loss lingers, Frangulis’s loving message serves as a reminder that Sabalenka’s journey is about more than trophies—it’s about resilience, love, and the promise of new beginnings.
Leave a Reply