Арина Соболенко. Скриншот транлсяции.
Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has apologized for a remark she made during her match against Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals. In an Instagram story, Sabalenka said she had reacted to the behaviour of spectators and that her words were not directed at her opponent.
The controversy was sparked by a broadcast clip published by Ukrainian tennis outlet BTU. In the video, Sabalenka says something after losing a point. BTU suggested that the tennis player had sworn in Russian and mentioned Ukraine. The words in the recording are unclear, and this interpretation is based on lip-reading.
“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.
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,” Sabalenka wrote.
Svitolina was asked about the apology after her semifinal. She said she hoped their matches would be treated with respect and recalled hearing unpleasant comments directed at her in connection with the war during some of her previous encounters with Sabalenka, Reuters reports.
Svitolina defeated Sabalenka on November 13 in their final group-stage match in Indian Wells, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Sabalenka was eliminated from the tournament. The following day, Svitolina beat Czech player Linda Nosková 6-2, 6-1 to reach the final against Russian player Mirra Andreeva.
On November 14, Aryna Sabalenka was added to the database of the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets. The reasons listed in her profile include incitement of interethnic and interreligious hatred, participation in “acts of humanitarian aggression against Ukraine,” and public support for Russian aggression and the killing of Ukrainian civilians.
Sabalenka has previously faced repeated criticism over her stance on political developments in Belarus and the war in Ukraine. In December 2020, she signed an appeal by athletes stating that sport should remain outside politics. That same year, she attended the recording of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s New Year address. In May 2023, Sabalenka refused to answer questions from a Ukrainian journalist who was pressing her to directly condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management Pavel Latushka called Sabalenka’s behaviour “absolutely unacceptable” and demanded that the WTA suspend her from competition.
“Aryna has failed to condemn the aggressive war against Ukraine, the mass repression of Belarusians, has not spoken out in support of the release of political prisoners, not even women, and now she is insulting Ukrainians Elina Svitolina against whom a war of annihilation is being waged. She should be banned from all WTA-sanctioned tournaments. This is the only proportionate response to such behaviour. She is a disgrace to the Belarusian people,” he said on X.