The US Open is finally over but the controversies it generated show no signs of stopping. One such controversy is the outburst by Aryna Sabalenka following her loss to Coco Gauff in the final. The Belarussian had won the opening set before squandering her lead, which allowed Gauff to defeat her.
After the presentation ceremony, the new world number one smashed her racket, in the privacy of the training room. Fans severely criticized Aryna for her fit of rage when the video of it surfaced online. However, Sabalenka has found an ally, someone who thinks the video of her vulnerable moment should not have been shared. It is none other than Andy Murray’s mother, Judy Murray.
Judy came to Sabalenka‘s defense on the social media site X (formerly Twitter). She stated that it was a private moment and the video should never have been published. Aryna was still reeling from the disappointment of a Grand Slam final loss.
This footage should never have been made public. A private moment in an empty training room after the disappointment of losing a Grand Slam final. https://t.co/ykWjVDUo7F
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) September 10, 2023
However, fans were quick to point out that a camera crew for Netflix’s Break Point had been following Sabalenka. They added that Aryna must have known she was being filmed, and she did it anyway.
Another user kindly pointed out that they were making a documentary, which would negate all claims of privacy. “They are making a documentary, what private moment?” Here are a few reactions to Judy’s statements.
A camera crew for a Netflix documentary followed her into the dressing room.
On TV you could clearly see the camera crew with her. pic.twitter.com/0rZV7A1Dl7
— Ewen Cameron (@EwenDCameron) September 10, 2023
hi, Judy. I thought exactly the same & asked Eurostar if she had been asked prior to sharing it. Happily someone else shared the wider shot, which seems to show she knew cameras were there & therefore feels much less onerous.https://t.co/9IbWn2xAAt
— dan barker (@danbarker) September 10, 2023
They are making a documentary, what private moment? 😄
— RIJK. (@RIJKSPORTS) September 11, 2023
It is quite natural for athletes to feel frustration. Aryna Sabalenka is no exception, and more so because she lost the match when it seemed she was on the path to winning her second slam. She was very gracious in defeat on the tennis court, even congratulating Gauff on her victory. Despite this bitter loss, Sabalenka has much to be proud of.
Aryna Sabalenka is now part of an elite club
The big-hitting Belarussian dethroned her rival Iga Swiatek from the top of the rankings recently. She may have lost the final, but Sabalenka created a new record by becoming the world number one in singles.
Aryna is now part of an exclusive club, one which has seen players reach the top of the rankings in singles and doubles. The Belarussian is the eighth player from the WTA to do it.
1 – Aryna Sabalenka is the eighth World No.1 in the WTA Rankings in both Singles and Doubles after Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Williams sisters, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters. Welcome!@WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/1zTkleugp2
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) September 11, 2023
Aryna is now in the company of tennis legends like Serena and Venus Williams, Martina Navratilova, and Kim Clijsters. On Monday, Sabalenka embarked on her journey as the world number one for the first time in her career.
Aryna Sabalenka has performed consistently this year, reaching at least the semifinals of every Grand Slam she played. She even won her maiden major title at the Australian Open. If Sabalenka can keep playing the way she has, the top spot will be hers for a long time.
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