Aryna Sabalenka got a tough penalty at the US Open after a strong outburst during her loss to Elena Rybakina.
Aryna Sabalenka faced a tough penalty for her actions during the US Open final. She missed out on becoming a three-time US Open champ and lost her WTA world No. 1 ranking after a tough loss to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, who won her first US Open title in New York on Sunday, September 12, and became world No. 1.
Sabalenka, who won the tournament in 2024 and 2025, lost 4-6, 7-5, 2-6 and looked frustrated throughout the match. During the second set at Arthur Ashe Stadium, she smashed her racket on the ground but still managed to win that set.
The 28-year-old was warned by umpire Greg Allensworth after smashing a ball in frustration following a double fault and losing her serve in the first set. She also broke her racket again after Rybakina won the final set and shouted at a cameraman, saying “f**k off.”
After the match, it was announced that Sabalenka was fined £5,569 ($7,500) by US Open organizers for breaking the code of conduct. She is also expected to lose nearly half of her £2 million ($2.8 million) prize money to federal and state taxes.
Seventeen other players at the US Open got fines too, including Britain’s Arthur Fery, who was fined £3,686 ($5,000) for swearing during his match. Corentin Moutet was fined twice, totaling £11,136 ($15,000), for dress and equipment rule violations and smashing his racket before quitting his match.
In total, the tournament handed out £83,520 ($112,500) in fines.
At a press conference after her loss, Sabalenka said, “It’s really hard to control your emotions when you lose a Grand Slam final, especially when you were going for a three-peat. I just needed to let it out because if I held it inside, I wouldn’t be able to say a word or I’d have reacted badly on the court. I just wanted to release all that frustration and disappointment.”
Talking about Rybakina, Sabalenka said her opponent deserved the win. “I’m not happy with how I played today, but she served amazingly and played aggressive, great tennis. She was just the better player today,” she said.
“We have a great rivalry and have played many exciting matches and finals this season. Her serve is amazing, and she knows how to step in and overpower you, especially on the fast US Open courts. That gives her a big advantage and makes her very dangerous.”