Aryna Sabalenka is under fire once again after a post-match comment following her surprise early exit at Roland Garros left fans and fellow players stunned. The Belarusian powerhouse, known for her explosive game and fiery demeanor, made waves not for her performance—but for what she said after the loss.
After falling in three sets to 20-year-old Czech rising star Eliska Hradilova, Sabalenka was asked during her press conference how she assessed the match. Her response sparked immediate backlash:
> “She got lucky, that’s all. If I played at 70%, she wouldn’t stand a chance. These younger players win one match and think they’ve arrived.”
The comment, widely shared across social media within minutes, drew swift condemnation from fans and analysts alike, many accusing Sabalenka of disrespecting her opponent and lacking sportsmanship.
“Absolutely no class at all,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “You got outplayed. Own it.”
Hradilova, who reached her first Grand Slam fourth round with the win, took the high road in her post-match interview, saying only: “I respect Aryna as a player. Today was my day. I’ll keep working hard.”
This isn’t the first time Sabalenka has come under scrutiny for her behavior. Just days ago, she was the subject of locker room bullying accusations, and now critics are calling this latest incident part of a troubling pattern.
“She’s a phenomenal athlete, but at some point, maturity has to match talent,” said tennis commentator Rennae Stubbs during a Eurosport segment. “When you lose, show grace. That’s part of being a champion.”
Still, some fans came to Sabalenka’s defense, arguing the media was blowing the comments out of proportion and pointing to the emotional strain top athletes face. “She just lost a tough match. She’s human. Let’s stop expecting perfection,” one supporter posted.
As pressure mounts, Sabalenka has yet to issue a follow-up statement or apology. The WTA has not commented, but insiders say she may be warned privately if the controversy continues to escalate.
With her Grand Slam run over, Sabalenka leaves Paris not just with a loss on the court—but a growing rift with fans who once admired her passion, but are now questioning her poise.
