Aryna Sabalenka issues apology after anti-Ukrainian comments at WTA Finals: “My comment was not directed at Elina”
WTA
Aryna Sabalenka has apologised following accusations that she insulted Elina Svitolina and Ukrainians during their WTA Finals clash in Indian Wells. The Belarusian addressed the controversy on social media after footage from the match circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.
Sabalenka lost 6-3, 3-6, 1-6 to Svitolina on November 13, with the Ukrainian securing her place in the semifinals. During the deciding set, the world No. 2 appeared visibly frustrated, and some of her comments on court subsequently became the subject of intense debate.
Several social media accounts shared footage claiming to identify an insult directed at Svitolina through lip-reading. Among the alleged translations were references to an insult against a Ukrainian woman and comments targeting Ukrainians more generally. However, neither interpretation has been independently confirmed.
Sabalenka has now broken her silence, apologising to anyone offended while insisting that her remarks were not aimed at her opponent.
Sabalenka explains alleged comments after Svitolina defeat
In a statement published on her social media accounts, Sabalenka explained that her frustration was directed at spectators who were celebrating her mistakes rather than at Svitolina.
"I want to clarify something from my recent match that has been circulating online," she wrote on social media. "My comment was not directed at Elina (Svitolina). 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 offended," the 4-time Grand Slam champion added. "Elina played a great match, and I wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament."
The Belarusian acknowledged that she had reacted emotionally but rejected the interpretation that she had insulted Svitolina. Her explanation also came without directly addressing the specific phrases circulating online.
Some users suggested Sabalenka had said "Those f**ing Ukrainians, for f**'s sake!", while another interpretation was "That f**ing Ukrainian b***, for f**'s sake!"**. The different translations further fuelled the discussion, although the footage alone does not establish exactly what she said.
🤬“Those f***ing Ukrainians, for f***’s sake!” Or was it “That f***ing Ukrainian b***h, for f***’s sake!”? These are the words 🏳️ Aryna Sabalenka appears to be saying in Russian, judging by her lip movements during her WTA Finals match against 🇺🇦 Elina Svitolina. What a remarkable display of respect and sportsmanship from the world No. 2. But sure, let's keep asking Ukrainian players why they refuse to shake hands with their Russian and Belarusian opponents. Apparently, that's still the bigger problem in tennis.
— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) November 14, 2026
The incident also brought renewed attention to the political context surrounding the two players. Svitolina once again refused to shake hands with Sabalenka after the match, following the position she has maintained towards Russian and Belarusian opponents since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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Neither player discussed the alleged remarks during their immediate post-match media commitments. Sabalenka was unavailable for interviews, while Svitolina focused on her victory and progression to the final.
Although Sabalenka has now apologised for her reaction, she maintains that her comments were directed at spectators rather than her Ukrainian opponent. The exact words remain unverified.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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