Aryna Sabalenka’s composure deserted her in the immediate aftermath of her US Open final defeat to Elena Rybakina on Saturday evening.
The 28-year-old Belarusian embraced the new champion at the net before returning to her chair, where she destroyed her racquet in a fit of anger.
When a television camera operator approached to film her reaction, Sabalenka attempted to wave them away before shouting “f*** off” directly at the cameraman.
The outburst was captured on the broadcast, with the camera swiftly panning away to focus on Rybakina’s joyful celebrations with her entourage and family members.
Rybakina secured her maiden US Open crown with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 triumph over the defending champion in a gripping three-set contest at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Kazakh player’s victory brought an end to Sabalenka’s remarkable winning streak at Flushing Meadows, having lifted the trophy in both 2024 and 2025.
Aryna Sabalenka told a cameraman to ‘f*** off’ after US Open defeat
|
GETTY
The defeat was particularly painful for Sabalenka, who had been bidding to become just the third woman in the Open Era to claim three successive US Open titles.
Instead, it was Rybakina who etched her name into the history books with a breakthrough grand slam victory in New York.
Signs of Sabalenka’s mounting frustration had emerged well before the final point.
Trailing 4-2 in the opening set after being broken following a double fault, she struck a ball furiously into the stands.
The chair umpire immediately issued a code violation for the aggressive act. ESPN’s commentary team reported that the ball had hit a ground-level camera operated by a courtside cameraman.
The penalty carried an implicit warning: any further breach of conduct would result in a point deduction, adding pressure to an already tense situation for the two-time defending champion.
Elena Rybakina secured her maiden US Open crown with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 triumph over the defending champion
|
GETTY
Despite the raw emotion on display, Sabalenka managed to regain enough composure to take part in the trophy presentation and address the crowd.
Visibly fighting back tears, she acknowledged that delivering a runner-up speech was the “last thing” she wished to do in that moment, though she offered congratulations to Rybakina and thanked her own supporters.
Reflecting on her conduct afterwards, Sabalenka said: “It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of the Grand Slam and when you were trying to go for three-peat. I just wanted to let it go, because if I would hold it inside. I wouldn’t be able to say a word.”
