Sabalenka apologizes for outburst at WTA Finals

Aryna Sabalenka has apologized for an on-court outburst during her three-set defeat against Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals (To the match report >>>).

A video widely circulated on social media appeared to show Sabalenka swearing in a fit of rage during Friday's 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 defeat at the season-ending tournament in Indian Wells.

The former world number one from Belarus explained on Saturday that she had been upset by the behavior of spectators during the match.

Frustration with spectators

"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 that moment," Sabalenka posted on Instagram, without specifying what exactly she had said.

"However, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologize to anyone I offended. Elina played a great match, and I wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament."

Sabalenka was visibly upset during the match and declined to speak to the media afterwards.

Background of the atmosphere

"There are many flags and many Ukrainian supporters here, and of course they want me to win this exact match," Svitolina said when asked about Sabalenka's online post.

"I took a quick look at it because it's on social media, of course, but yeah, I just hope the matches between us are respected. Sometimes during some matches, there are unpleasant comments directed at me regarding the war. Sometimes on social media, things get twisted a bit," she said.

Svitolina and other players from her country have refused to shake hands with players from Russia and Belarus since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, following a directive from the Ukrainian Tennis Federation.

Svitolina will face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in Sunday's final of the $10 million tournament.