Aryna Sabalenka has once again been in the firing line after a Grand Slam final, this time for her on-court reaction after losing at the US Open.
Just seconds after championship point had been converted by Elena Rybakina and the two had shaken hands at the net, the Belarusian obliterated her racket before storming over to sit with her team. As a camera approached, she shouted at it to leave her alone, which caused quite a strong response.
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Chanda Rubin branded Sabalenka ‘bratty’ for her actions, whilst a select few have tried to defend her.
Patrick Mouratoglou did sympathise with her hugely emotional response, but could not excuse her actions.
Speaking on his social media platforms, the well-known tennis coach began with a rundown of what actually occurred.
He recalled: “What we saw at the US Open has happened too many times in two years. Lose the final. Throw the racket before shaking your opponent’s hand. She goes to her chair and breaks a racket while Elena celebrates. Then the camera focuses on her, and she tells him to leave or… ‘F—- you.’.”
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Mouratoglou admitted he felt for Aryna Sabalenka, adding: “I understand the disappointment. Losing a Grand Slam final is heartbreaking, especially when you feel you have the tennis to win it. I understand that you want space. Those emotions are human and I don’t blame her for feeling them or for reacting that way. He knows he shouldn’t.
“She’s smart. She just can’t help it. When things stop going well, the emotion overflows, she becomes very negative with herself and sinks. The more time passes, the lower it becomes, because it is self-destructing.”
He finished with some advice, though he insisted it was not: “I’m not here to give advice. However, for me, emotional management is the only reason why she doesn’t win Grand Slams right now. It’s sad to see history repeat itself.
“If she solves that, she will go from being number two who does not win important tournaments to someone who wins many more and returns to number one.”
Sabalenka has actually been told to learn from Rybakina in this regard. It remains to be seen whether she will, but this US Open will certainly be an experience she won’t forget in a hurry.
