Aryna Sabalenka Ripped For 'Classless' Behavior At WTA Finals
Aryna Sabalenka didn't just fall short of winning the WTA Finals this Saturday, she lost some fans in the process.
Sabalenka, the No. 1 player in the world, lost to Elena Rybakina in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (0). Although she's considered the queen of the hard court, she looked lost in the second set tiebreak. What really stood out during Rybakina's win was that she won 82% of her second serve points.
As you'd imagine, Sabalenka was frustrated with her performance. She slammed her racket immediately after losing the match. She also had a rushed post-match handshake with Rybakina.
"You literally smashed me out of the court! So very well done," Sabalenka told Rybakina. "I am happy to see you playing your best tennis. Nice comeback at the end of the season and now it’s time to enjoy our off-season, and enjoy this beautiful trophy."
Fans thought Sabalenka's behavior on Saturday was unacceptable. Some even called her a "sore loser."
"Sabalenka how hard is it to have some class," one fan said. "Grow up."
"Serious mature sportspeople congratulate their opponents and respect the sport," a second fan commented. "Sabalenka does neither."
"Sabalenka is sore looser!!! Breaking the racket and that handshake was really poor sportsmanship," another fan said.
THE MOMENT ELENA RYBAKINA WON THE 2025 WTA FINALS.
🥹🥹🥹🥹
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 8, 2025
Sabalenka has done this before.
After losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff earlier this season, Sabalenka failed to give her opponent proper credit.
“If Iga [Swiatek] had beaten me the other day, I think she’d come out today and get the win," Sabalenka told reporters.
Sabalenka also made a few questionable comments after losing her Wimbledon semifinal match against Amanda Anisimova.
“I was just trying to chase the ball. She was already celebrating it. I was like ‘I mean, that’s a bit too early.’ She kind of pissed me off like saying ‘That’s what she does all the time.’ But I was grateful and thankful that she said that because I was like, it actually helped me to keep fighting. I was like ok, now I’m gonna show you the tennis,” Sabalenka said. "I came back because I got really angry in that moment. Probably in the 3rd set I should’ve remembered and probably it would’ve helped. But it is what it is ."
There's no denying Sabalenka's talent. However, she hasn't handled defeat that well this season.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the Tennis section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
