Aryna Sabalenka issues apology after 'swearing about Ukrainians' in Elina Svitolina defeat

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Elina Svitolina beat Aryna Sabalenka in their WTA Finals clash, during which her Belarusian opponent faced accusations of swearing about Ukrainians.

Aryna Sabalenka has denied directing a comment in which she apparently swore in Russian about Ukrainians at Elina Svitolina during their WTA Finals group match. The Belarusian lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to her opponent, who hails from Ukraine, and did not qualify for the semi-finals after also losing in straight sets to Mirra Andreeva earlier in the week. Television footage from Sabalenka's match against Svitolina appeared to show her swearing while gesturing angrily on court during the defeat at Indian Wells. The players did not shake hands at the net afterwards, as they have not done since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, during which Belarus offered logistical support to the invading forces.

Addressing clips of her outburst that have been shared on social media, Sabalenka said in a post on her Instagram story: "I want to clarify something from my recent match that has been circulating online. My comment was not directed at Elina. I was frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally in the moment.

"That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone offended. Elina played a great match, and I wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament."

Svitolina is through to the final after beating Linda Noskova in straight sets during their semi-final. Speaking after that 6-2, 6-1 win, she said: "As you can see, there are many, many Ukrainians, many, many flags, and of course they want me to win this particular match. We've played many times with Aryna. She has her fans. I have my fans.

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"I just hope the matches between us [are] respected. Sometimes, in some matches we've played, there have also been not-so-great comments towards me about the war. It is like this on social media; sometimes the things are turned around a little bit."

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