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Born in Belarus · Nationality Belarusian — Tennis / public statements / politics / sporting discipline

Aryna Sabalenka

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “2020–2023: Controversy over ties to Alexander Lukashenko, war in Ukraine and public distancing” and “2024: Warning for audible obscenity at Indian Wells and public challenge to sanction”.

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Profile No. 1858 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

8Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

12 September 2026

2026: Ball struck into stands, racket smashed and angry outburst after US Open final

No legal proceedings

Following her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the 2026 US Open final, Sabalenka struck a ball towards the stands, smashed her racket and displayed anger towards a camera. The episode prompted criticism of her behaviour.

State of the evidence: Reported by the press
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
ReutersSabalenka feels weight of three-peat in US Open final lossNews agencyVery high reliability
[2]
talkSPORTAryna Sabalenka told 'show some respect' as she smashes racket moments after losing US Open finalPressMedium reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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19 April 2025

2025: Takes phone onto court in Stuttgart to photograph ball mark — unsportsmanlike conduct warning

Civil / administrative proceedings

Disputing a line call against Elise Mertens in Stuttgart, Sabalenka took a team member's phone to photograph the ball mark after the umpire refused to inspect it. She received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
BBC SportStuttgart Open: Aryna Sabalenka takes photo of disputed ball call in winPressHigh reliability
[2]
L'ÉquipeAryna Sabalenka demande la vérification d'une marque, l'arbitre refuse, la Biélorusse sort son téléphonePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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7–17 June 2025

2025: Comments after Roland-Garros final downplay Coco Gauff's performance, followed by apology

No legal proceedings

After losing the Roland-Garros final to Coco Gauff, Sabalenka said Gauff had won mainly because of her own errors rather than exceptional play. She subsequently wrote to Gauff and described her remarks as completely unprofessional.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
BBC SportAryna Sabalenka apologises to Coco Gauff for 'completely unprofessional' comments after French Open finalPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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11 March 2024

2024: Warning for audible obscenity at Indian Wells and public challenge to sanction

Civil / administrative proceedings

During her match against Emma Raducanu at Indian Wells, Sabalenka received a code violation for audible obscenity. After the match, she acknowledged using a swear word while considering that the umpire could have avoided issuing the warning.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Tennis.comAryna Sabalenka drops numerous F-Bombs in hilarious Indian Wells press exchangePressMedium reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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December 2020–6 June 2023

2020–2023: Controversy over ties to Alexander Lukashenko, war in Ukraine and public distancing

No legal proceedings

Sabalenka was criticised in 2020 for an attitude perceived as favourable to Alexander Lukashenko during demonstrations contesting his re-election. Following the invasion of Ukraine, her status as a Belarusian athlete and the regime's links with Moscow led to repeated questions. At Roland-Garros in 2023, after avoiding several open press conferences on mental health grounds, she stated that she supported neither the war nor Lukashenko.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
BBC SportFrench Open 2023: Aryna Sabalenka 'does not support' Belarus president Alexander LukashenkoPressHigh reliability
[2]
Lance!Sabalenka é criticada por posição pró Lukashenko. Silêncio de Azarenka incomodaPressMedium reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)

Coco Gauff1 documented reference
- 2025: Comments after Roland-Garros final downplay Coco Gauff's performance, followed by apology Source ↗
Emma Raducanu1 documented reference
- 2024: Warning for audible obscenity at Indian Wells and public challenge to sanction Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.