Aryna Sabalenka breaks silence after viral court outburst

World number two Aryna Sabalenka has apologised following an angry on-court reaction during her WTA Finals match against Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina, after footage of the incident went viral on social media and attracted widespread criticism.

The Belarusian tennis player faced backlash after using inappropriate language while expressing her frustration following her defeat to Svitolina. Videos circulating online showed Sabalenka visibly angry on the court, with her reaction quickly becoming a talking point among tennis fans.

Addressing the controversy, Sabalenka clarified that her remarks during the match were not directed at Svitolina. Instead, she said she had become frustrated with a group of spectators who were aggressively celebrating her mistakes.

According to Sabalenka, the crowd’s behaviour upset her, prompting an emotional response during the match. However, she acknowledged that she should have expressed her frustration in a different and more appropriate manner.

The tennis star also apologised to anyone who may have been offended by her comments, accepting responsibility for the way she reacted.

Sabalenka praised Svitolina for her performance and wished the Ukrainian player success in the remaining matches of the tournament.

The controversy followed a disappointing result for the world number two, who suffered a three-set defeat against Svitolina. The Ukrainian secured a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory, overcoming Sabalenka after dropping the second set.

Following the match, Sabalenka’s visible frustration and use of inappropriate language became widely discussed across social media platforms, with several users criticising her behaviour.

The incident has also drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between Ukrainian tennis players and competitors from Russia and Belarus. Relations have remained strained since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Ukrainian players maintaining a firm stance towards athletes representing Russia and its ally Belarus.

Despite the criticism, Sabalenka’s apology has offered an explanation for her emotional reaction while acknowledging that her conduct could have been handled better.

The episode adds another dramatic moment to this year’s WTA Finals, highlighting how pressure, crowd reactions and intense competition can sometimes spill over beyond the tennis court.