Aryna Sabalenka addresses WTA Finals controversy with public apology to Elina Svitolina
Aryna Sabalenka's season came crashing down with a group stage defeat to Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals, and she has since addressed comments she made during the loss.
For the first time in four years, Sabalenka is outside the top-two ranking positions after marking her third appearance at the season-ending tournament with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 defeat to Svitolina on Friday.
The 28-year-old let emotions get the better of her once more at Indian Wells and was ultimately outclassed across three sets by Svitolina, who booked her spot in the semi-finals against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
Aryna Sabalenka addresses WTA Finals comments in apology to Elina Svitolina
Throughout the year, Sabalenka has let her anger boil over onto the court, and this habit continued during her clash against the Ukrainian.
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When fighting to hold her serve in the third, the four-time Grand Slam winner lost track of the ball’s trajectory mid-air, then sulked as it landed away from her.
Later in the match, a visibly angry Sabalenka shouted at what appeared to be her box after losing a crucial point on serve, with cameras capturing the moment.
Lip readers online had a go at translating what the Belarusian said, alleging that she made comments targeting Ukrainians more generally during her outburst.
It has to be said that this interpretation wasn't independently confirmed, and Sabalenka has since posted a statement on social media, clarifying that her comment wasn't directed at Svitolina and apologised to anyone she may have offended.
"I want to clarify something from my recent match that has been circulating online," the world No.3 wrote on her Instagram story.
"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."
Unfortunately, it's not the first time this season that the three-time Wimbledon semi-finalist has been embroiled in controversy. At the US Open in September, Sabalenka had £5,569 ($7,500) deducted from her prize pot after smashing her racket and swearing at umpire Greg Allensworth following her defeat to Elina Rybakina.
Sabalenka had already lost her number one spot to Rybakina by this point, irrespective of losing the final, and she could only take out her frustrations on the racket and the umpire.
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Rick Macci issues warning to Aryna Sabalenka
Serena Williams' former coach, Rick Macci, has followed Sabalenka's decline this season, and when speaking about her shortcomings in August, Macci said she was "competing against herself".
The 71-year-old has since posted a reaction to her defeat on Friday, claiming that her "strength" - presumably her once incredible mentality - has now become her "weakness".
"Sabalenka is on the very slippery slope with her career. Her confidence comes and goes, rises and falls, but she still has that explosive power from the baseline," Macci wrote on X.
"A brutal competitor anytime, anywhere against anybody; now she checks out at Publix on a regular basis and competes against herself.
"Because her defense is average and very few tools in the toolbox for adaptations or plan B, we will see real quick in 2027 what happens next for Saby."
Although her campaign hasn't been all doom and gloom after reaching two Grand Slam finals, the Australian Open and US Open, as well as winning at Indian Wells and Miami, Sabalenka's frustration arguably highlights how disappointing she feels her 2026 has been.
Topics: Tennis
Thomas Griffin
