The tennis off-season has an unexpected epicenter, and Aryna Sabalenka, Daniil Medvedev, and Jelena Ostapenko have all rushed to the Maldives immediately after their final tournaments. But American tennis pros John Isner, Reilly Opelka, and even Eugenie Bouchard are raising eyebrows over this tropical obsession—and revealing the surprising truth behind it.
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Tennis’ Maldives Takeover
After the WTA Finals 2025, Sabalenka talked about her Maldives trip throughout the tournament and rushed to the tropical paradise immediately afterward. Medvedev also took his entire family to enjoy the island nation’s scenic beauty with his wife Daria and daughters Alisa and Victoria. The trend has become so widespread that some players are questioning whether it’s genuine preference or something else entirely.
| Player | Destination | Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aryna Sabalenka | Maldives | November 2025 | Beach relaxation with boyfriend |
| Daniil Medvedev | Maldives | November 2025 | Family vacation with wife & kids |
| Jelena Ostapenko | Maldives | November 2025 | Holiday retreat |
| Iga Swiatek | One&Only Reethi Rah | 2024 | Resort stay |
The Controversial Truth Revealed
Former American tennis stars aren’t buying the hype. Opelka opined that his peers’ obsession with the holiday destination was weird, questioning why players who spend the entire year living out of suitcases would immediately fly 14 hours to check into another hotel.
John Isner and Sam Querrey revealed the shocking reality: players receive free resort stays in exchange for doing a one-hour tennis clinic daily, with all expenses covered for multiple nights. According to their analysis on the Nothing Major podcast, this explains why athletes consistently tag resorts in their Instagram posts.
Isner called it “an absolute epidemic at this point,” despite acknowledging the scenic beauty.
Bouchard’s Take and the Broader Question
While Eugenie Bouchard hasn’t publicly criticized the Maldives trend like Opelka and Isner, her previous statements about tennis lifestyle challenges add context to the debate. The Canadian star has openly discussed the difficulties of constant travel and maintaining relationships while on tour.
The question remains: Are players genuinely seeking paradise, or simply capitalizing on lucrative sponsorship opportunities disguised as vacation? Querrey estimated that 90-100% of tennis players visiting the Maldives are there for free through hotel partnerships.
Why It Matters
For tennis fans following their favorite stars, this revelation changes the narrative. What appears to be lavish personal vacations are often business arrangements—smart partnerships that benefit both resorts seeking celebrity endorsements and players looking to monetize their off-season.
Opelka made it clear he won’t be joining the Maldives crowd anytime soon, having made his comeback to the top 50 for the first time since 2022.
Want to explore more tennis controversies and behind-the-scenes stories? Check out our deep dive into player sponsorship deals or read about tennis lifestyle challenges on TechnoSports.
For official updates on your favorite players, visit the WTA Official Website and ATP Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do tennis players really get free Maldives vacations?
According to John Isner and Sam Querrey, approximately 90-100% of tennis players visiting the Maldives receive complimentary accommodations in exchange for conducting brief tennis clinics at the resorts. Higher-ranked players typically receive better deals and premium resort access.
Q: Why do John Isner and Reilly Opelka criticize the Maldives trend?
Both American players argue it’s illogical for athletes who spend the entire year traveling and staying in hotels to immediately fly 14+ hours to another hotel during their limited break. They believe the off-season should be spent at home with loved ones rather than on another sponsored trip.
