Sports · Tennis · 1 hr ago
Sabalenka apologises and says viral comment was not aimed at Svitolina
Elina Svitolina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 at the WTA Finals in California, reaching the semi-finals and knocking Sabalenka out.
A clip of Sabalenka swearing during the match spread online, and some viewers said she had insulted Svitolina or Ukrainians.
Sabalenka said her comment was not aimed at Svitolina and said she was angry with spectators who cheered her mistakes.
She apologised for reacting emotionally and praised Svitolina's performance.
The exact words in the clip could not be independently verified, and the WTA had not commented on the incident.
A Belarusian opposition figure called for Sabalenka to be suspended, while Svitolina made no public comment about the controversy after the match.
Svitolina did not shake hands with Sabalenka, following the policy she has maintained with Russian and Belarusian players since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Aryna Sabalenka apologised after a clip of her swearing during her defeat by Elina Svitolina went viral.
Sabalenka said her comment was not directed at Svitolina and that she was reacting to fans cheering her mistakes.
Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushka condemned Sabalenka and called for her suspension from WTA-sanctioned tournaments.
The clip’s audio was inaudible, and interpretations of the words differed and could not be independently verified.
Svitolina won 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 at the WTA Finals and did not shake hands with Sabalenka.
- Who
- Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina; Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushka also called for Sabalenka’s suspension.
- What
- Sabalenka apologised over a viral clip of her swearing and denied that her comment was directed at Svitolina. Latushka called for her to be banned from WTA-sanctioned tournaments.
- When
- The match took place on Nov. 13, 2026; Sabalenka and Latushka commented on Nov. 14.
- Where
- The WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California.
- Why
- Sabalenka said she was frustrated by spectators cheering her mistakes; Latushka condemned her alleged insult and her failure to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Aryna Sabalenka
Pavel Latushka
Meaning of comment
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka said the comment was not directed at Svitolina and that she was reacting to spectators cheering her mistakes.
Pavel Latushka
Latushka said Sabalenka was insulting Svitolina and called her behaviour absolutely unacceptable.
Response
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka apologised to anyone offended.
Pavel Latushka
Latushka called for her to be banned from all WTA-sanctioned tournaments.
Svitolina defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
A clip of Sabalenka swearing circulated on social media, prompting claims that she had insulted Svitolina or Ukrainians.
Sabalenka apologised and said her comment was not directed at Svitolina.
Pavel Latushka condemned Sabalenka and called for her suspension from WTA-sanctioned tournaments.
- Players
- Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina
- Match result
- Svitolina won 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
- Tournament
- WTA Finals, Indian Wells, California
- Match date
- Nov. 13, 2026
- Call for suspension
- Pavel Latushka called for a ban from all WTA-sanctioned tournaments
6 sources
Aryna Sabalenka issues apology and denies Elina Svitolina abuse – will she be punished?
« Ces putains d'Ukrainiens » : Aryna Sabalenka se justifie de ses propos polémiques lors de son match contre Elina Svitolina aux Finales WTA
Sabalenka apologises & says viral comment 'not directed at Svitolina'
“My comment was not directed at Elina”: Sabalenka apologises after her alleged anti-Ukrainian outburst during the Svitolina match goes viral
Tsikhanouskaya ally condemns Belarusian athlete for insulting Ukrainian opponent, complacency in Russia's war
“Quella fot**ta stronza ucraina”: bufera su Sabalenka, scoppia il caso alle WTA Finals contro Svitolina
What people are saying
my comment was not directed at Elina
I was frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally in the moment
Absolutely unacceptable behaviour by Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka!
suspended from all WTA-sanctioned tournaments
Posts on X
Absolutely unacceptable behaviour by Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka! Aryna has failed to condemn the aggressive war against Ukraine, the mass repression of Belarusians, has not spoken out in support of the release of political prisoners, not even women, and now she is