Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian tennis player ranked number 2 in the WTA, has faced severe criticism for her behaviour towards a ball kid during her semifinal match against Coco Gauff at the Wuhan Open.
During the match, Sabalenka lost her patience with a ball girl who took longer than expected to bring her the balls. She waved her arms to hurry the girl and, upon receiving the balls, chucked one back in a manner that many found disrespectful. This incident has gone viral on social media, with fans expressing their disgust and calling for her to be fined for her actions.
The match saw Sabalenka come back from a set and a break down to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 against Gauff. Despite her victory, her behaviour towards the ball kid overshadowed her performance. Fans and commentators alike have condemned her actions, highlighting that it was unacceptable to treat a child in such a manner.
Sabalenka is set to face Zheng Qinwen in the final of the Wuhan Open, where she will aim to secure her seventh WTA 1000 title. However, the controversy surrounding her behaviour has cast a shadow over her upcoming match.
