VIDEO: “The crowd inside Rod Laver Arena cruelly mocked her” – Look back to Sabalenka’s debut against Barty at 2018 Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka's debut at the 2018 Australian Open has been shared on social networks, where she was molested by the public during the match against local Ashleigh Barty.

The new Aussie Open champion found her best tennis over the past two weeks to clinch her first Grand Slam, where she dropped just one set in the final to Elena Rybakina. The Belarusian, who will once again occupy second place in the ranking, loos back on the uncomfortable moment she experienced 5 years ago.

Read also

“As far as their tennis abilities, yes they can be a threat”: Sabalenka and Rybakina can trouble dominance of Swiatek according to McEnroe

In that match, the crowd mocked her for the screams she made while playing, and they even interrupted Sabalenka's service, for which the chair umpire had to ask for silence and even the former world No. 1 Barty asked the public for respect:

“My first Australian Open was against Ashleigh on the Rod Laver stadium,”

“I remember after the match thinking, ‘Oh my god I think I will never get it’. That’s crazy."

https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1619294435090792449?s=20

After winning the trophy, Sabalenka thanked the public for the support she has had in recent weeks:

“Thank you soo much for an amazing atmosphere and I hope I can come back stronger next year and I’ll show you even better tennis and you guys will support me even more”

Read also

Trend noticed as all but one Australian Open champion between 2016-2022 a mother or currently pregnant

“I think Australia loves me (laughs). The support this week, I think because everyone remembers last year and everyone wants me to be better. I felt the support and it really motivated me a lot.”

On Twitter it was criticized that the stands were not full, and that not all the tickets had been sold:

https://twitter.com/LindaCPearce/status/1619257285318168576?s=20&t=iuB8DpeifuAOJuH5mvpn5A

https://twitter.com/jamesgraysport/status/1619260419574759424?s=20&t=ZX6aZShE7q0h8Fx2QPWW2A

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe