As many top players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, and others, spend their off-season unwinding in luxury resorts across the Maldives and the Bahamas, rising star Linda Noskova has opted for a very different kind of break..

The 21-year-old Czech star is spending her off-season volunteering in Zanzibar after wrapping up her 2025 campaign in October. Noskova has been sharing glimpses of her experience through her secondary Instagram account, @my_life_as_linda, where she documents her life away from tennis. Her posts show a more grounded and meaningful break — one focused on giving back rather than luxury or relaxation..

During her volunteer work in Zanzibar, Noskova also took time to interact with her followers, answering a series of fan questions and reflecting on the lessons she has taken from the experience.

When one fan asked whether the people or the wildlife had left a deeper impact on her, Noskova shared that the trip had shifted her perspective. She revealed that being immersed in a very different environment reminded her of “how fortunate” she truly is and made her more mindful of the privileges and comforts she often takes for granted.

When asked about the school environment where she volunteers, Noskova described it as overwhelming yet deeply emotional. She explained that the setting, though modest and often lacking resources, was filled with warmth, curiosity, and gratitude — qualities that left a strong impression on her..

Noskova’s decision stands out even more given that the off-season is typically a time when players prioritize rest, recovery, and preparation for the year ahead. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka spent her break in the Maldives alongside fellow stars Belinda Bencic, Katerina Siniakova, and Jelena Ostapenko, while Novak Djokovic opted for a quieter getaway in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Linda Noskova points out the disparity she has witnessed in Zanzibar

Fans were also curious about what had surprised Noskova the most during her time in Zanzibar. In her response, the Czech player highlighted the stark contrast between the island’s postcard-perfect image as a luxury tourist hotspot and the difficult reality many locals live with behind the scenes. She noted that while Zanzibar is often portrayed as idyllic and glamorous, daily life for many residents is marked by limited resources, financial hardship, and minimal infrastructure — a perspective she admitted she hadn’t fully understood before arriving.

“Just the conditions, I guess. Although Zanzibar is a tourist location, there is extreme poverty in so many places in the city. Then on the other hand, you go by the sea or the beach and see these beautiful 4-star hotels, nice restaurants, and private yachts. It makes you sad when you go back,” she wrote.

Noskova’s 2025 season showcased her growing consistency and competitive edge, yet the breakthrough title remained just out of reach. She delivered strong runs across multiple WTA 500 and WTA 1000 tournaments and capped the late season with an impressive finals appearance at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, where she ultimately fell to Amanda Anisimova.

Her momentum continued into her final event of the year, the Toray Pan Pacific Open, where she once again reached the championship match. However, Belinda Bencic proved too strong, securing a 6-2, 6-3 victory. That defeat added to Noskova’s runner-up finish earlier in the season at the WTA 250 event in Prague — another reminder of how close she was to lifting silverware without taking the final step.