Aryna Sabalenka Addresses the Controversial Hindrance Call by the Chair Umpire During her Australian Open Semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka has reached her four consecutive Australian Open final.

Aryna Sabalenka Addresses the Controversial Hindrance Call by the Chair Umpire During her Australian Open Semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/HQ Pics)

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Tennis fans know that the Australian Open is never short on drama, but the 2026 semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina gave the fans a moment that had everyone scratching their heads. In a sport where inches and milliseconds define champions, it was a “hindrance” call that almost stole the spotlight.

Sabalenka, the defending champ and World No. 1, was cruising through the first set. Then, out of nowhere, a call from the chair umpire turned a routine rally into a heated debate about noise, rules, and momentum. The reaction on court was instantaneous.

The Belarusian was visibly stunned. In the press conference, the two-time Australian Open champion addressed the situation. Sabalenka said in her Australian Open press conference:

That’s actually never happened to me. Especially with my grunting. It’s so off I think. I was like ‘What? What is wrong with you?’ I think it was the wrong call. She really pissed me off. It actually helped me and benefited my game.

Sabalenka marched toward the umpire’s chair, the frustration boiling over. “What is wrong with you?” she asked, a question that was likely being echoed by thousands of fans in the stands and watching at home. Sabalenka, then, demanded a video review, hoping that a second look (or listen) would overturn what felt like an overly harsh penalty. Engzell reviewed the footage but stuck to her guns. The call stood. The point went to Svitolina.

A history of noise on the court

This incident has reignited an old debate in tennis: how loud is too loud? The fans have been here before. Remember the days of Monica Seles or Maria Sharapova? Grunting has been a part of the game for decades.

Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova (via X)

It’s often a way for players to release tension and time their breathing with their strikes. However, the rulebook says a player cannot hinder their opponent. Usually, that applies to talking during a point or making a sudden noise right as the other player is striking the ball.

Some argued that Engzell was just following the letter of the law—the sound was long, and it could have confused Svitolina. Others felt it was an overreach, an umpire inserting themselves into the match’s narrative that didn’t need interference.

What this means for the final

Regardless of the noise, Aryna Sabalenka is through to her fourth consecutive Australian Open final. She has cemented her dominance in Melbourne, and honestly, this controversy might have made her even more dangerous. She’s playing with a chip on her shoulder now.

Aryna Sabalenka Brisbane International 2026
Aryna Sabalenka (image via Instagram @arynasabalenka)

As the fans look toward the final showdown, one thing is certain: the umpires will be listening closely, but Sabalenka will be hitting even harder. If this semifinal proved anything, it’s that you can penalize the sound, but you can’t silence the talent.

She has seen the heartbreak last year in the final against Madison Keys. In fact, she has seen multiple heartbreaks as she lost the Roland Garros final to Coco Gauff and also the WTA Finals to her opponent, Elena Rybakina.

Also Read: Serena Williams Refuses to Put Down Tennis Comeback Rumors: “Not a Yes or a No”