Amid the media uproar following her unexpected defeat to Coco Gauff at the 2025 French Open, Aryna Sabalenka has decided to respond, not with words or official statements, but with an image that has ignited social media. The Belarusian tennis player posted a photo on her Instagram account in which she appears hugging her boyfriend on a beach in Mykonos, Greece, with a caption that has generated both support and controversy: “I need wine, sugar, and love!”
The image was published just two days after her painful semifinal exit against Gauff, in a match that many described as one of Sabalenka’s weakest in recent tournaments. Her on-court attitude, unforced errors, and lack of aggression were the subject of much criticism from sports commentators and fans. However, rather than engage in debate or justify her performance, Sabalenka chose a completely different path: to disconnect and retreat into the love and pleasure of the European summer.
The snapshot shows the athlete in a bikini, holding a glass of wine, leaning against her partner, whose identity she has largely kept private. The beach, the sunset, and the intimate gesture contrast starkly with the tense tone of the sports discussions that have surrounded the player since her defeat. Some fans have celebrated the post as a display of authenticity, emotional courage, and personal freedom, while others have considered it disrespectful to the sport and its fans.
“You can’t just disappear from the Grand Slam with that attitude and then act like nothing happened,” commented one social media user, reflecting the sentiment of a segment of the public who expected a more introspective or sporting reaction. Sabalenka’s defenders, on the other hand, emphasized that the player has the right to disconnect, especially after a season filled with pressure, back-to-back tournaments, and internal tensions.
This isn’t the first time Sabalenka has sparked controversy for her off-court style. In the past, she has used her platforms to showcase her more emotional and human side, with posts that often break with the traditional rigidity of the professional tennis world. This time, however, the timing of the post and the chosen phrase (“wine, sugar, and love”) have been interpreted by some as a provocative nod to the wave of criticism.
As the women’s tour looks ahead to Wimbledon, the inevitable question is whether Sabalenka will be mentally and physically ready for the next stage of the season. Is she resting or simply escaping? Is this a strategy of shutting down to come back stronger or a symptom of deep burnout?
The truth is that, beyond the debate, the publication has achieved what was perhaps its true objective: to change the conversation. For a moment, people stopped talking about tennis and started talking about the human being behind the racket. A powerful, emotional woman, unafraid to show weakness or pleasure. An athlete who, in times of hyperexposure, decides to use her image not only to talk about titles, but also about such human needs as wine, sugar, and love.
Mykonos, love, and a glass of wine. That was Aryna Sabalenka’s response to a defeat. Criticism or declaration of freedom? The debate continues.
