Aryna Sabalenka and her coaching team face backlash after a video surfaced, seemingly showing them pretending to urinate on her trophy.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 tennis player, is facing criticism from fans.
A video surfaced showing her and her coaching team jokingly pretending to urinate on her runners-up trophy at the Australian Open.
This incident occurred after she lost in a hard-fought final against Madison Keys.
The match
Sabalenka played against Keys in the women’s singles final but unfortunately lost with scores of 6-3, 2-6, and 7-5.
This defeat meant that she could not secure her third consecutive title at the Australian Open, having won in both 2023 and 2024.
For Keys, it was a monumental moment as it marked her first Grand Slam final since 2017 and her first Major title, making the victory even more surprising.
Tennis star and coaching crew face backlash after pretending to urinate on their trophy
After the match, a video circulated online showing Sabalenka laughing with her boyfriend, Geogios Frangulis, and her fitness coach, Jason Stacy.
They appeared to be performing pelvic thrusts over the trophy while joking, which many fans found inappropriate.
This footage drew significant backlash from the tennis community and beyond, with many expressing their disappointment on social media.
Fans quickly shared their thoughts, with one user commenting, “Isn’t that disrespectful?”
Another added, “What disgusting and disrespectful actions. They deserve an explanation and public apology for this terrible gesture.”
A third fan remarked, “So not OK. Even if they’re joking.”
The reactions highlighted a general sentiment that the actions were in poor taste, especially following a significant loss.
Sabalenka’s reaction
In interviews after the match, Sabalenka expressed her disappointment about finishing second.
She stated that for her, reaching the finals meant it was “trophy or nothing.”
She emphasized that no one remembers the runner-up and that she aims for titles.
Despite being proud of reaching three finals in a row, she expressed a desire to improve and return next year to win the championship.
However, fans were not impressed with her comments or the trophy incident.
Many were critical, stating that her attitude showed a lack of class.
One fan said, “I’m glad she didn’t win,” while another remarked, “Wow… so disrespectful.”
The overall consensus was that Sabalenka and her team acted inappropriately after the match.
The emotional aftermath
After losing the final, Sabalenka was visibly upset. She broke down in tears, hiding her face with a towel on the court.
She also smashed her racket in frustration, showing how deeply she felt about the loss.
Following the match, she walked off the court quickly, indicating her emotional state at the time.
Sabalenka’s journey to the final was not easy.
She had to overcome her close friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals, which added to the pressure of the final match.
Despite her strong performances leading up to the final, she struggled against Keys, who is known for her powerful play.
The incident involving Sabalenka and her trophy has sparked a debate about sportsmanship in tennis.
Many fans feel that joking about a trophy after a loss is disrespectful, regardless of the intentions behind it.
As a top player, Sabalenka’s actions are under scrutiny, and her response to the criticism will be important moving forward.
This experience may serve as a lesson for Sabalenka and her team as they prepare for future tournaments.
With a strong desire to win, it remains to be seen how she will handle the pressure and expectations in the coming seasons. Fans hope to see a more respectful approach from her and her crew in the future.