Aryna Sabalenka handed harsh US Open punishment after X-rated outburst during Elena Rybakina defeat
Aryna Sabalenka has received a costly punishment for her behaviour during the US Open final.
Sabalenka failed to become a three-time US Open champion while also surrendering her WTA world No. 1 ranking following a crushing defeat to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, who secured her first US Open title in New York on Sunday (September 12) and, in doing so, became world No. 1.
The Belarusian, who won both the 2024 and 2025 editions of the tournament, fell to a 4-6, 7-5, 2-6 defeat and was visibly frustrated throughout the contest.
At one point during the second set at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Sabalenka smashed her racket on the floor before going on to win the set.
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The 28-year-old was also warned by umpire Greg Allensworth for smashing a ball in frustration after double-faulting and conceding a break of serve during the first set.
Sabalenka also smashed her racket after Rybakina won the third and final set before a cameraman bore the brunt of her fury, with the four-time Grand Slam champion screaming “f**k off” at him.
It has since emerged that US Open organisers have fined Sabalenka for violating the event’s code of conduct through her behaviour, with £5,569 ($7,500) deducted from her prize pot.
Sabalenka is also expected to see nearly half of her £2million ($2.8million) disappear due to federal and state tax rules.
US Open hand out punishments to 18 players
Seventeen other US Open stars have also been fined for obscenities and dress code breaches, including Britain’s Arthur Fery, who was slapped with a £3,686 ($5,000) fine for swearing during his loss to Lorenzo Musetti.
Corentin Moutet received two separate fines worth a combined £11,136 ($15,000) for violating dress and equipment regulations during his first-round loss to Dane Sweeney. He was also punished for equipment abuse after smashing his racket before retiring in the third set of the clash.
Overall, tournament bosses issued £83,520 ($112,500) worth of fines.
Aryna Sabalenka addresses racket smashing after US Open final
Speaking at a press conference after her defeat, a disappointed Sabalenka explained: “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.
“So I just wanted to let it go, because if I would hold it inside, right now or here or there on the court, I wouldn’t be able to say a word or I would just go not really nice over there.
“So I just wanted to let all of that aggression and disappointment..."
Turning attention to Rybakina, Sabalenka admitted her opponent was a deserved winner.
“I'm obviously not really happy with the level I played today, but she served incredible,” she added.
“She played really aggressive, great tennis. She was simply a better player today than me.
“We have a great rivalry. We play a lot of great matches, great finals this season. Her serve is amazing, the way she able to step in and overpower you on court, and especially if it's a US Open court where it's super fast, definitely huge advantage for her. A lot of things makes her dangerous.”
Luke Davies