Aryna Sabalenka was not best pleased after losing the US Open final on Saturday.
Understandably so; defeat in a major final is about as brutal an experience one can face on a tennis court.
Upon losing Saturday’s final, Sabalenka threw her racket to the ground.
After congratulating Elena Rybakina on her triumph, Sabalenka then sat on her bench and smashed her racket on the floor.
What does Aryna Sabalenka need to change to start winning Grand Slams again?
She just lost the US Open final to Elena Rybakina…
Sabalenka’s conduct has been heavily criticised, with Chanda Rubin describing the Belarusian’s actions as ‘not a good look’.
Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ coach, has now offered her take on the matter.
Rennae Stubbs discusses Aryna Sabalenka’s US Open final behaviour
“The thing I have a problem with, and I was not a great loser, but I do not think I have ever broken a racket in front of an opponent before I went to shake their hand,” Stubbs, the former world number one in doubles, said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
“Unfortunately this has happened a couple of times where she broke a racket right in front of Elena when she was walking towards the net to receive her.
“So then your opponent is like ‘woah, do I get out of the way here’ and it’s very uncomfortable.
“The same thing happened when she lost to Madison Keys in Australia, she just obliterated the racket before she shook hands.
- Australian Open: lost to Elena Rybakina in the final
- Roland Garros: lost to Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals
- Wimbledon: lost to Naomi Osaka in the fourth round
- US Open: lost to Elena Rybakina in the final
“So do what you did at the US Open when you went into the gym and just pummelled that racket.
“You have got to be able to try your best to not do things like that, that takes and detracts from the winner.
“As hard as it is, and believe me I understand, try and save that for off the court.”
After suffering defeat in New York, Sabalenka is expected to take some time away from competitive play.
The Belarusian is currently scheduled to return at the China Open, which will run from September 30 to October 11.
Sabalenka did not compete in last year’s WTA 1000 event due to a minor injury.
Amanda Anisimova won the title, defeating Linda Noskova in the final.
Tennis fans need to be kinder to Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka’s post-match conduct was certainly unsavoury.
However, some of the commentary criticising the Belarusian’s actions has bordered on vitriolic.
Is Sabalenka not allowed to express any emotion after a brutal Grand Slam final defeat?
This was an extremely difficult situation for the world number one to manage, and we must reflect on the context of her frustrations before persecuting her actions.
Sabalenka did not show any outward disrespect towards Rybakina; the racket smashing was clearly a reaction aimed at expressing disappointment with herself.
In an ideal world, Sabalenka would not have smashed her racket on Saturday.
We do not live in an ideal world and we cannot expect professional tennis players to act like robots devoid of emotion.
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