Once celebrated solely for her raw power and relentless on-court dominance, Aryna Sabalenka is now drawing attention for reasons that stretch well beyond tennis. With the 2025 French Open underway, the world No. 2 finds herself caught in a whirlwind of controversy that threatens to overshadow her Grand Slam campaign.
Ball Girl Backlash at the Wuhan Open
Tensions first flared after a heated moment during the Wuhan Open, where Sabalenka was seen gesturing aggressively toward a young ball girl after a miscommunication. The moment, captured on video and widely circulated online, sparked instant outrage. Critics blasted Sabalenka’s behavior as “inexcusable,” while others called it a simple case of on-court emotion.
“She’s a professional — she should know better,” wrote one X user. Meanwhile, some fans defended the Belarusian, accusing the media of overblowing a minor incident.
Political Pressures and Public Silence
But the controversy didn’t end there. At the French Open, Sabalenka was grilled by reporters about her stance on the Ukraine war and her past photo-ops with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Her initial refusal to answer questions — “No comment” — only added fuel to the fire. Though she later clarified she does not support the war, critics, including Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk, felt her statements lacked conviction.
“She should be using her platform to take a real stand,” Kostyuk told reporters after their frosty on-court exchange, which included no handshake.
Still a Force on the Court
Despite the media storm, Sabalenka hasn’t missed a beat in her tennis. With major titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid already under her belt this season, she entered Roland Garros as a clear favorite. She cruised through her first-round match with commanding ease, letting her racket do the talking while avoiding press room fireworks.
Her coach and team have brushed off the distractions. “Aryna is here to win. She’s locked in,” said one insider. “She knows how to handle pressure — this is just a different kind.”
Fanbase Divided
Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s once-united fanbase appears increasingly fractured. Some stand by her, admiring her strength and determination to not be drawn into political agendas. Others accuse her of being tone-deaf in an increasingly polarized sports landscape.
Whether Sabalenka can ride out the storm or whether the controversies will continue to follow her remains to be seen. One thing is clear: she’s no longer just a tennis player. She’s a lightning rod for the intersection of sport, politics, and public perception.
