(Video) Aryna Sabalenka Gives Death Stare to Chair Umpire After Being Told to Remove Accessory at the Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka is eyeing a third Australian Open title, having missed out last year.

(Video) Aryna Sabalenka Gives Death Stare to Chair Umpire After Being Told to Remove Accessory at the Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka gave a death stare (via X)

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If there is one thing we have learned about Aryna Sabalenka over the years, it’s that she doesn’t do boring. Whether she is smashing forehands past helpless opponents or wearing her heart on her sleeve during a changeover, the Belarusian superstar demands your attention. And for her opening match at the 2026 Australian Open, she certainly got it—even before a single ball was hit.

The two-time former champion stepped onto Rod Laver Arena looking ready to steamroll her way to another title. But before she could get down to business, a brief, bizarre moment of tension stole the show. It wasn’t a dazzling warm-up shot or a dispute with her coach. It was jewelry.

Just moments before the match was set to begin, an official approached Sabalenka with a request that clearly didn’t sit well: she needed to remove a necklace she was wearing. For an athlete in the zone, pre-match rituals are sacred, and interruptions are rarely welcome.

Sabalenka didn’t throw a tantrum. She didn’t shout. Instead, she delivered a withering, smoldering death stare that instantly lit up social media feeds across the globe. For a lesser player, a disruption like this right before the first serve could be a recipe for disaster. It breaks focus. It introduces irritation. But for Sabalenka, it seemed to work like lighter fluid on a bonfire. She didn’t let the frustration linger; she channeled it.

So, what is next for the fiery star? Sabalenka marches comfortably into the second round, where she faces unseeded Zhuoxuan Bai. As the tournament progresses, she will face opponents with more experience, including Emma Raducanu, who is projected to be her third-round opponent.

Total destruction on the court by Aryna Sabalenka

If Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah had any hopes that the necklace drama might distract her opponent, those hopes were extinguished in roughly the time it takes to grab a coffee. Aryna Sabalenka channeled every ounce of that pre-match irritation into her racquet strings.

Aryna Sabalenka (5)
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/HQ Pics)

The match that followed was less of a contest and more of a statement. The first set was competitive, as Rajaonah competed with the World No.1 all the way till the end.

Sabalenka tore through the second set with ruthless efficiency, handing Rajaonah a “breadstick”—a 6-1 drubbing that left the crowd gasping at the sheer power on display. The Belarusian’s serve was thumping, her groundstrokes were heavy, and her movement was sharp.

The end result was inevitable. Sabalenka wrapped up a 6-4, 6-1 victory in over an hour. It was a masterclass in power tennis, proving that while the umpire might be able to take away her necklace, they can’t take away her dominance.

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