Aryna Sabalenka’s 2025 season was defined as much by her power hitting as by the storm of controversies that followed her from one major tournament to the next. What began as a tense exchange after the French Open final ballooned into a series of incidents that shaped public perception of the World No. 1.
Her comments, on-court reactions, and participation in a divisive exhibition event kept her in the spotlight for reasons she probably did not anticipate.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Post-Match Comments After the 2025 French Open Final vs Coco Gauff
Sabalenka’s first major flashpoint in 2025 erupted in Paris. After falling to Coco Gauff in a three-set French Open final 7-6 (5), 2-6, 4-6, Sabalenka sparked immediate backlash when she said Gauff did not win because she played “incredible” but because Sabalenka “made all of those mistakes.”
Critics saw the remark as dismissive of Gauff’s breakthrough performance, arguing that the Belarusian star shifted blame rather than acknowledging her rival’s composure and grit.
The reaction was swift. Commentators, fans, and former players called out the tone of her comments, framing them as disrespectful. Sabalenka later apologized publicly, conceding she had allowed frustration to overwhelm her judgment. She admitted that her comments were unprofessional and confirmed she had reached out to Gauff privately to congratulate her and set things right.
Argument With Supervisor Over Berlin Match Suspension
Sabalenka’s opening match in Berlin against Rebeka Masarova suffered a strange postponement, drawing an annoyed reaction from the top seed.
The 27-year-old was infuriated when her opponent complained about the seemingly “slippery” conditions after losing the first set 6-2. She made her feelings known when the chair umpire and the supervisor sided with Masarova’s verdict on the grass court and suspended the match for the day.
“You’re stopping the match because she said this side was slippery? But I just played two games on that side. She was losing…” the World No. 1 was heard as saying.
Wimbledon 2025 Loss to Amanda Anisimova and “Hate Relationship” Comment
Sabalenka’s semifinal defeat at Wimbledon only added to a turbulent season. She lost 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 to Amanda Anisimova, a result that crushed her hopes of returning to the final. In her press conference, Sabalenka admitted that she had developed what she called a “hate relationship” with the tournament. She pointed to a trio of tough semifinal losses, the 2022 ban on Belarusian players, and injury setbacks as reasons behind her frustration.
The World No. 1 opted for measured responses after Gauff controversy, but could hide her frustration over Anisimova’s conduct during the match. Although she praised the American’s fearlessness and aggressive play, Sabalenka also voiced irritation over two moments she felt reflected questionable sportsmanship. She noted that Anisimova celebrated a point early and did not apologize after a net-cord winner, saying, “You don’t want to say sorry?”
Narrowly Escaping Disqualification in Wuhan
Aryna Sabalenka was chasing a staggering four-peat at the WTA 1000 in Wuhan, having won the 2018, 2019, and 2024 editions. The World No. 1 was, however, handed a brutal 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) defeat by Jessica Pegula in the semifinal.
During the tense final moments of the match, Sabalenka lost her cool after getting broken at 5-5 in the third set. Frustrated, she launched her racket toward her bench, almost hitting a ball boy and narrowly escaping disqualification.
2025 WTA Finals: Loss to Elena Rybakina and the “Stick Shoots” Remark
The season’s final controversy unfolded at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Sabalenka entered the championship match unbeaten. She fell 3-6, 6-7 (0) to Elena Rybakina, breaking down in tears afterward and smashing her racket in full view of spectators.
During her post-match remarks, Sabalenka credited Rybakina for outplaying her, saying the Kazakh star “literally smashed me out of the court.” But her attempt to analyze the match took a turn when she added that “once a year even a stick shoots.” Many interpreted the phrase as suggesting Rybakina’s win was a matter of luck rather than dominance.
Rybakina brushed aside the remark when asked, saying she had positive feelings toward Sabalenka and her team and did not want to dwell on the comment, although fans and pundits continued to debate the tone.
“Battle of the Sexes” Exhibition With Nick Kyrgios Sparks Criticism
Another controversy brewed long before the event itself. An exhibition match scheduled for late December 2025 in Dubai between Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios was marketed as a modern “Battle of the Sexes.” The announcement immediately generated debate.
Many argued that reviving the iconic 1973 Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs storyline in a lighthearted exhibition trivialized the historical significance of the original match, which was a pivotal cultural moment for gender equality in sports.
The promotional framing didn’t help. With Kyrgios injured and ranked outside the top 600, observers felt the matchup reduced the concept to spectacle rather than meaningful competition. Critics labeled it a “showbiz circus,” claiming it risked undermining King’s legacy and the decades of progress that followed.