Aryna Sabalenka reacts angrily after US Open final defeat
Aryna Sabalenka’s composure deserted her following her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the US Open final on Saturday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The 28-year-old Belarusian embraced Rybakina at the net before returning to her chair, where she destroyed her racquet in frustration. When approached by a television camera operator, Sabalenka attempted to wave them away before shouting “f*** off” at the cameraman.
This outburst was captured live, forcing the camera to quickly shift focus to Rybakina’s celebrations with her entourage at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Rybakina claimed her first US Open title with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory, thereby ending Sabalenka’s winning streak at the tournament, having claimed the trophy in both 2024 and 2025.
The defeat was significant for Sabalenka, who was seeking to join the elite group of women to win three consecutive US Open titles. Instead, it was Rybakina who secured her name in the annals of Grand Slam history with a memorable victory.
Frustration had been evident for Sabalenka before the final point. At 4-2 in the opening set, she struck a ball into the stands following a double fault, which led to a code violation from the chair umpire. ESPN’s commentary team stated the ball hit a ground-level camera, intensifying the pressure on Sabalenka, who faced the risk of a point deduction for further misconduct.
Despite her emotional response, Sabalenka regained enough poise to participate in the trophy presentation. Noting that making a runner-up speech was the “last thing” she wanted to do in that moment, she nonetheless offered congratulations to Rybakina and expressed gratitude to her supporters.
Reflecting on her actions post-match, Sabalenka said: “It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of the Grand Slam and when you were trying to go for three-peat. I just wanted to let it go, because if I would hold it inside, I wouldn’t be able to say a word.”
In the aftermath, the incident serves as a reminder of the pressures athletes face in high-stakes situations, where the thin line between passion and frustration can lead to public displays of emotion.
