WATCH: F***k **f! Aryna Sabalenka caught swearing at camera after US Open final defeat
(Courtesy : Instagram/@arynasabalenka)
Aryna Sabalenka has now lost 5 out of the 9 Grand Slam finals she has featured in
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will struggle to hide her disappointment. Finishing the season without a Slam after spending over eight months as World No. 1, and dropping to below 50% in Grand Slam finals, is tough for any champion.
Wins and losses are part of the game, and the debate around sportsmanship in defeat will continue. But at 28 and at the peak of her career, a 4-5 record in major finals will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Belarusian, especially given her remarkable consistency over the past few years.
The Belarusian has reached 15 Grand Slam semi-finals, yet could lift the trophy on only four occasions. However, at the 2026 US Open final, Sabalenka cannot blame herself for the result.
She didn’t throw it away — she was outplayed by the new World No. 1. Elena Rybakina was too good on the day, delivering a champion’s performance and a near-masterclass to dethrone the two-time US Open winner.
Related: List of records Elena Rybakina broke at US Open 2026
Rybakina’s usual first-serve weapon was nowhere to be found in the opening set, and yet she did not face a break point. She served at a shocking 29% in the opening set, but her groundstrokes and second-serve success rate meant Sabalenka struggled to create any inroads, which only added to her frustration.
Emotions get the better of Sabalenka
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Sabalenka even hit the ball into the crowd and was handed a code violation. In the final set, she was visibly annoyed and was cursing multiple times.
She even nearly smashed the cameraman and could have been severely punished. Later, she smashed her racquet multiple times on the court, but escaped without any penalty.
After the defeat, she was seen sitting with her team and boyfriend Georgios Frangulis. As the camera zoomed in, Sabalenka was caught cursing live on air, an action that later drew criticism on social media.
Related: How does top 10 of WTA rankings look after US Open 2026?
Not the first time
Sabalenka and racquet smashes are not new after Grand Slam finals. Most famously, the outgoing World No. 1 had destroyed her racquet after losing to USA’s Coco Gauff in the 2023 US Open final.
During the post-match press conference, Sabalenka was asked about her losing control of her emotions.
“It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in a final of a Grand Slam and when you were trying to go for 3-peat. If I were to hold it inside, right now or on the court I wouldn’t be able to say a word. I would go not really nice over there. I wanted to let go of all that aggression and disappointment outside”, Sabalenka said.
How many times has Aryna Sabalenka lost in the US Open finals?
Aryna Sabalenka has lost two times in the singles finals of the US Open.
What is Aryna Sabalenka’s win-loss record in Grand Slam finals?
Aryna Sabalenka’s win-loss record in Grand Slam singles finals is 4–6.
Why did Aryna Sabalenka smash her racket during the US Open 2026 final?
Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racquet during the US Open 2026 final after losing the match and the WTA World No. 1 ranking.
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