Aryna Sabalenka’s 2025 Italian Open campaign has been marred by controversy after she unleashed an angry obscenity at a fan during her quarterfinal defeat to Qinwen Zheng. The incident, which resulted in a code violation for the Belarusian star, highlights the intense pressure and fiery temperament that often accompany high-stakes tennis.
The Incident: A Boiling Point
The incident occurred during the second set of Sabalenka’s match against Zheng. Frustration was visibly mounting for the World No. 1, who had already lost the first set 6-4 and was trailing in the second. As Sabalenka prepared to return Zheng’s serve, a spectator shouted, “Come on Aryna, play tennis!”.
Clearly irritated by both her performance and the heckle from the stands, Sabalenka turned towards the voice and responded with an angry “Shut the f*** up,”. The chair umpire immediately issued a warning for audible obscenity. A clip of the incident quickly surfaced online, further fueling the controversy.
Sabalenka’s Struggles on the Court
Sabalenka’s outburst underscored her growing frustration as Zheng dominated the match. Known for her powerful baseline game, Sabalenka struggled to find her rhythm against Zheng’s aggressive play. Zheng, meanwhile, remained unfazed by the drama and maintained her focus, ultimately defeating Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3. This marked Zheng’s first win over Sabalenka in their last seven encounters.
Sabalenka’s performance was plagued by unforced errors, a recurring issue in her recent matches. This loss ended Sabalenka’s run in Rome, a setback as she prepares for the upcoming French Open.
Reactions and Repercussions
The incident sparked immediate backlash online, with many fans and commentators criticizing Sabalenka’s behavior. While some acknowledged the pressure athletes face, others argued that her response was unprofessional and unacceptable.
Despite the controversy, some observers noted Sabalenka’s generally friendly off-court personality. However, her fiery on-court temperament has often landed her in hot water.
Other Controversies at the Italian Open
Sabalenka’s outburst is not the only controversy to emerge from the 2025 Italian Open.
Kostyuk’s Concerns
Prior to facing Sabalenka, Marta Kostyuk raised concerns about a controversial moment from their previous encounter at the Madrid Open. Kostyuk was unhappy that Sabalenka intentionally paused play to avoid a double fault, which she admitted in an interview. Kostyuk said she had questions about fair play and sportsmanship. Despite considering raising the issue with the WTA, Kostyuk acknowledged that nothing would change.
Handshake Rejection
Following Sabalenka’s victory over Kostyuk, the Ukrainian player refused the customary post-match handshake. This is common in matches between Ukrainian players and those from Russia or Belarus, reflecting the ongoing geopolitical tensions. Sabalenka responded with a classy gesture, showing respect for Kostyuk’s position.
Scheduling Issues
The Rome Open has also faced criticism regarding scheduling decisions. Tennis player CoCo Vandeweghe described the scheduling of matches as “absolutely disgraceful,” citing a situation where players were left waiting due to lengthy matches and a reluctance to relocate matches to available courts.
Sinner’s “Beauty Standard”
In a lighter moment, Sabalenka was left “shocked” after an incident involving Jannik Sinner led to a reporter telling her she is a “standard of beauty in Italy”. This occurred after a fan told Sinner that he was as handsome as Sabalenka. Sabalenka responded humorously, stating that she always felt connected to Italy.
Looking Ahead
Sabalenka will need to regroup quickly as she prepares for the French Open. To succeed, she will need to reduce unforced errors and maintain composure under pressure. Despite the controversies, Sabalenka remains a top contender and a fan favorite.
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