Sabalenka apologises for WTA Finals outburst, denies targeting Svitolina
Synopsis
A viral video of Aryna Sabalenka swearing in Russian after her WTA Finals loss to Elina Svitolina ignited a storm — but Sabalenka insists the outburst was aimed at a hostile section of the crowd, not her opponent. With Svitolina's no-handshake policy adding another charged dimension, the match has become far bigger than its scoreline.
Key Takeaways
Elina Svitolina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the WTA Finals group stage on Friday, 15 November .
It was Svitolina's first win over Sabalenka in six years , ending a five-match losing streak .
A video of Sabalenka swearing in Russian during the match went viral on Saturday , prompting widespread criticism.
Sabalenka issued a social media apology, saying her comment was directed at 'a small group of spectators' , not Svitolina.
Svitolina did not shake hands post-match, consistent with her policy of declining handshakes with Russian and Belarusian players since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine .
Aryna Sabalenka has issued a public apology after a viral video showed the Belarusian four-time Grand Slam singles champion swearing in Russian following her defeat to Elina Svitolina in the WTA Finals group stage, while insisting her outburst was not aimed at the Ukrainian player.
What Happened on Court
Svitolina defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in their group-stage match on Friday, marking the Ukrainian's first win over her Belarusian rival in six years — since Strasbourg in 2020. The result ended a five-match losing streak for Svitolina against Sabalenka, which had included their Australian Open semifinal in January.
During and after the match, Sabalenka visibly vented her frustration — angrily gesturing, swearing, smashing her racquet, and at one point crouching at the back of the court after losing a point. A video capturing her swearing in Russian circulated widely on social media the following Saturday, drawing significant attention and criticism.
Sabalenka's Apology and Clarification
A day after the video went viral, Sabalenka posted a statement on social media clarifying the context of her comments. 'I want to clarify something from my recent match that has been circulating online. 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,' she wrote.
She added: 'That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone I offended. Elina played a great match, and I wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament.'
No Handshake: The Broader Context
Notably, Svitolina did not shake hands with Sabalenka at the conclusion of the match, in keeping with her long-standing policy of refusing post-match handshakes with Russian and Belarusian players. Svitolina has maintained this stance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which she cites as the reason for the gesture. The refusal added another layer of tension to what was already an emotionally charged encounter.
Significance of the Result
The victory carried considerable weight beyond the scoreline. Svitolina had not beaten Sabalenka in six years, and the win came against one of the sport's dominant players of recent seasons. For Sabalenka — a four-time Grand Slam champion — the loss in front of what she described as a hostile section of the crowd appeared to compound an already difficult afternoon on court.
What Happens Next
Svitolina advances through the group stage at the WTA Finals, with Sabalenka's tournament path under scrutiny following the defeat. How both players respond — on and off the court — will be closely watched, particularly as the no-handshake dynamic and social media fallout continue to draw international commentary.
Point of View
Turning every Sabalenka-Svitolina encounter into something that extends well beyond sport. Sabalenka's clarification — that she targeted a section of the crowd, not her opponent — may be genuine, but the optics of a Belarusian player swearing in Russian after losing to a Ukrainian are impossible to separate from that geopolitical backdrop. The no-handshake policy, now well into its third year, remains one of the sport's most visible and unresolved tensions. The WTA's silence on how it handles these charged matchups is itself a form of institutional avoidance — one that leaves players like Svitolina carrying a political weight the governing body has not formally addressed.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Aryna Sabalenka do at the WTA Finals that caused controversy?
A video circulated on social media showing Sabalenka swearing in Russian and gesturing angrily during and after her group-stage loss to Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals. The clip went viral on Saturday, prompting accusations that her remarks were aimed at the Ukrainian player.
What did Sabalenka say in her apology?
Sabalenka stated that her comment 'was not directed at Elina' but at a 'small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes.' She acknowledged she should have handled her frustration differently and apologised to anyone she offended.
Why did Svitolina not shake hands with Sabalenka after the match?
Svitolina has maintained a policy since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players. Sabalenka is Belarusian, so Svitolina declined the post-match handshake in keeping with that stance.
What was the significance of Svitolina's win over Sabalenka?
It was Svitolina's first victory over Sabalenka in six years — since Strasbourg in 2020 — and ended a five-match losing streak that included their Australian Open semifinal earlier this year. It was also a notable upset against a four-time Grand Slam champion.
Who is Aryna Sabalenka?
Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player and four-time Grand Slam singles champion. She is one of the top-ranked players on the WTA Tour and was competing in the WTA Finals group stage when the incident occurred.
