US Open fans have expressed their disappointment with Aryna Sabalenka's conduct after she lost the women's singles final to Elena Rybakina. Social media platforms buzzed with criticism after Sabalenka was seen smashing her racket and directing an expletive at a cameraman shortly after her defeat.
Sabalenka, the former world No. 1, lost to Rybakina with a final score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Following the match, cameras captured Sabalenka rolling her eyes and telling a cameraman to "f*** off" as she was being filmed. This incident, along with her racket smashing, quickly went viral.
Fans on X, formerly Twitter, voiced their strong disapproval. One user wrote, "No one handles a loss worse than Sabalenka. Made herself a spectacle AGAIN today by smashing a racket, yelling at a cameramen, and barely clapping for Rybakina. So ridiculous." Another commenter stated, "I recognize her greatness and her achievements, but Sabalenka is my least favorite athlete on the planet right now. Horrible attitude, zero sportsmanship, never credits her opponents after a loss. Great player, bad person."
Another fan called her behavior "an absolute disgrace" and labeled her the "biggest sore loser in tennis," adding, "No grace, decorum or respect for her opponent or the fans watching."
Following the match, Sabalenka addressed her performance and emotions. "I'm obviously not really happy with the level I played today, but she served incredible," she said. "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." She added that she wanted to "let it go" to avoid a worse reaction.
Separately, US Open organizers faced online ridicule for a spelling error on the women's singles trophy presentation stand. The name of the jeweler, Tiffany & Co., was displayed with incorrect letters, which fans quickly pointed out on social media.