Aryna Sabalenka Criticized for Her Conduct After Losing US Open Final to Elena Rybakina: “What She Displayed Was Bit Bratty”

Emotions got the better of Aryna Sabalenka following her three-set defeat to Elena Rybakina. Right after losing, she flung her racket in frustration before shaking hands with Rybakina and the chair umpire and sitting down on her bench.

While Rybakina celebrated her win, Sabalenka smashed her racket before eventually destroying it. She also snapped at the cameraperson, asking them to go away and give her some privacy.

The 28-year-old said she smashed the racket to let go of frustrations and disappointment and avoid saying something controversial during the runner-up speech. But Chanda Rubin, a former WTA player, criticized Sabalenka’s behavior.

But what she displayed after that loss was a bit bratty to me. And even before they shook hands, she was hitting her racket on the side of the bench; she went and sat with her team. I mean, there’s just some things you have to suck up, and just, in the moment, deal with it, and then after it’s done, you can do whatever you want.

Chanda Rubin said on Tennis Channel

This isn’t the first time Sabalenka’s conduct has been criticized. Last year, Sabalenka sparked controversy with her runner-up speech and the press conference after her French Open upset.

But she’s not the first person to be incredibly disappointed and wanting to smash everything around her. But you just gotta be able to control yourself. […] You have to be able to find something to control yourself. I mean, she’s getting close to 30 years old, and I’m not sure when it happens, but it just was not a great look for what was Rybakina’s moment.

Chanda Rubin added

Sabalenka would have become the third woman in the Open Era to complete the hat-trick of the US Open had she defeated Rybakina. The Kazakh ace now trails 8-10 in the head-to-head matchups versus the four-time Grand Slam singles champion.

It was Rybakina’s third Grand Slam title in her fourth final. Her lone defeat came at the hands of Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final.

Marion Bartoli lauds Elena Rybakina’s extraordinary run at the US Open

Because Elena Rybakina suffered a leg injury and retired mid-match in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open, doubts arose about her participation at the US Open. But she played, progressed beyond the fourth round for the first time, before wrapping up the tournament in her favor by denying the three-peat to Aryna Sabalenka.

Also en route to clinching the trophy, the 27-year-old overcame 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals and two-time Grand Slam singles champion Coco Gauff in the semifinals. After her successful campaign, former WTA player Marion Bartoli heaped praise on the now three-time Grand Slam champion.

Can you imagine that her previous best result here was the fourth round? That’s extraordinary, to come here with all the pressure of the world, knowing she had the No. 1 world ranking on her racket, to actually go on and win the title. The way she bounced back at the beginning of the third set tonight, for me, was absolutely extraordinary.

Marion Bartoli said on Sky Sports

Rybakina took home her third title after wins at the Australian Open and the Stuttgart Open. In the Melbourne Major, she defeated Sabalenka to win her first title at the event. The two final defeats that she has registered this season were against Sabalenka at the Indian Wells Open and against Iga Swiatek at the Canadian Open. Sabalenka last won a title at the Miami Open. She played her first final since that win at Flushing Meadows.

Also read: Coco Gauff’s Ex-Coach Breaks Down Ben Shelton’s Costly Tactical Errors in US Open Final