2024 US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka‘s recent performance witnessed an unexpected moment. However, she got it covered as her personal life caught the spotlight at this moment. After ending her Shanghai run with heartbreak, Sabalenka took a retrospective journey. It wasn’t her words that fueled the intrigue, but her boyfriend’s heartwarming gesture that showcased Sabalenka’s source of motivation. While the world often witnesses fleeting victories, Sabalenka’s relationship leaves a question: Is love enough to heal the pressure of crumbling dominance?

Sabalenka ended her 2024 China Open in the quarterfinals. Karolina Muchova defeated her by 7(7)-6(5), 2-6, and 6-4. The Belarusian won her third Grand Slam at the Flushing Meadows this season and flew straight to Shanghai to attend the tournament. After five years, Sabalenka expressed her happiness in coming to the country, where she enjoys many supporters.

The WTA number two has won four titles in China alongside Agnieszka Radwanska. Despite an impressive start, the Belarusian couldn’t pass the quarterfinals against a competitive opponent like Muchova.

Sabalenka shared some photos from her China Open trip. From a cute tennis skit to a self-care moment, traveling around the city, signing autographs for fans, and cozy moments with her beau Georgios Frangulis, Sabalenka’s China Open moments were too adorable to miss.

“Thank you, @chinaopen—motivated to come back even stronger next time. 💪 Thank you for all the support,” captioned Sabalenka. While she suffered heartbreak, her multi-millionaire boyfriend Frangulis made sure she got all the comfort. Inspired by the Belarusian’s spirit, Fragulis dropped a purple heart emoji on the comment, showcasing his support. It seems that the Brazilian, a Haas F1 team sponsor is a constant for Aryna, be it a win or loss. Remember the aftermath of the US Open?

On September 7, Aryna defeated No. 6 Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 to get her hands on her first US Open title. On the next day, Frangulis celebrated that with a post on his Instagram. On a series of snaps, he wrote, “I’m in love with the Queen of NY 🗽 🏆 🐯” In one photo, Sabalenka and Frangulis shared a kiss as they posed together with her championship trophy. Frangulis also included a video of the tennis pro falling to the ground and covering her face as she won her championship match. But that was not the first time.

The two were first spotted together in April 2024 during the Mutua Madrid Open, where Sabalenka was a finalist in her event. Frangulis also watched Sabalenka win the Cincinnati Masters in August 2024. The 3x Grand Slam winner never steps back in acknowledging this support. Speaking to PEOPLE in August 2024, Sabalenka had called Frangulis her “biggest” supporter through ups and downs over the past year.

“There was a really tough period where I was really happy to have him by my side, always cheering me up, always making sure that we are doing some fun stuff,” Sabalenka had said before she defeated Emma Navarro in the semifinals at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Indeed, Frangulis came to her life at a time when she was dealing with some serious personal crisis.

In March, Sabalenka’s former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, an Ex-hockey star and 2x Olympian, died from an apparent suicide, the Miami-Dade Police Department reported, according to ESPN. He was 42. Koltsov, who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, and Sabalenka, confirmed their relationship in 2021.

The 26-year-old said that they “were no longer together” at the time of Koltsov’s death, as reported by People. However, his death, which happened while he was in Florida supporting her at the Miami Open, left her “heartbroken,” Sabalenka had told The Independent in August. But amid that heartbreak, Sabalenka continued playing which ultimately worsened her situation. “Looking back, I definitely think that I should have just stopped and just separated myself from tennis, just have a little break, recharge and start things over again,” she had said. That new start with Frangulis became public in May.

The pair were spotted holding hands at dinner after Sabalenka lost the Italian Open final to Iga Swiatek in straight sets on May 19. A few days later, Sabalenka posted a carousel of pictures on her Instagram, one of which showcased the couple taking a walk in the rain with their arms entwined. “What my days off the court have been looking like recently 😉🫶,” she wrote. With such a loving partner by her side, tournaments are sure to light up for Sabalenka. But when it is China, it is even more special for her.

Aryna Sabalenka reveals “it’s always great to come back” in China

The WTA number two entered the tournament as a top seed after Iga Swiatek withdrew her name. In the first round, Sabalenka defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew from Thailand and won 18 of the 21 matches she played in any Chinese WTA 1000 tournaments. This is the most wins by any player after the format’s introduction in 2009.

Previously, when asked about her happiness in achieving this feat, Sabalenka expressed great delight. Acknowledging her huge Chinese fan group, the Belarusian expressed real enthusiasm for playing in the country.

When she made a record after her debut win at the 2024 China Open, Sabalenka expressed huge gratitude for playing on Asian soil. “I’m having a lot of great memories from the past. Actually, I don’t even know how many tournaments I won in China. Yeah, it’s always great to come back and feel the atmosphere, feel the vibe, knowing that I kind of gain my fan club here.” Her statement highlighted how much her Chinese fans mean to her.

She further delved deeper into how the support from Chinese fans keeps her going. “It’s given me, like, more motivation to go there and compete and bring my best tennis and make sure I stay till the last stages of the tournament so I can enjoy this atmosphere as much as possible,” she said. After this statement, it wasn’t hard to understand Sabalenka’s strong bond with the country’s tennis fraternity.

The Belarusian might end her 2024 China Open run this season, but she returned home with tons of love from the supporters. While winning or losing is a part of a game, such love bears the strength for a player in the long run.