Aryna Sabalenka Issues Apology After WTA Finals Outburst

Aryna Sabalenka apologised on Saturday after an on-court outburst during her defeat to Ukrainian rival Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. Footage that circulated widely on social media appeared to show the former world No. 1 swearing in a tirade that some viewers interpreted as being directed at Svitolina or Ukrainians in general. However, Sabalenka clarified that her frustration was aimed at the behaviour of a section of the crowd during Friday's 3-6, 6-3, 1-6 defeat, which saw the four-time Grand Slam champion crash out of the tournament.

"I want to clarify something from my recent match that has been circulating online," Sabalenka wrote in a post on Instagram.

"My comment was not directed at Elina. I was frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally in the moment."

"That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone I offended. Elina played a great match, and I wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament."

Svitolina has declined to shake hands with players from Russia and its ally Belarus since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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