Sabalenka blames spectators for angry outburst after defeat

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her match against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has blamed the behaviour of some spectators for her angry outburst during her defeat to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals.

A viral video showed the world number two swearing in Russian and gesturing angrily during her 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 loss to Svitolina on Saturday.

The footage sparked controversy on social media, with some commentators interpreting Sabalenka’s remarks as an insult directed at Svitolina or Ukrainians in general.

However, the 28-year-old denied targeting her opponent, insisting that her reaction was caused by frustration with spectators who aggressively celebrated her mistakes.

In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Sabalenka admitted that she had lost her temper but maintained that her comments were not directed at the Ukrainian player.

“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,” she wrote.

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“That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone offended.”

Sabalenka also praised Svitolina’s performance, describing it as a great match and wishing her opponent all the best for the remainder of the tournament.

The incident comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Ukrainian players and their Russian and Belarusian counterparts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian players have maintained a policy of refusing to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents after matches. They also avoid taking pre-match photographs together.

The practice reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding the war and has continued to shape interactions between players from the countries on the tennis circuit.

Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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