Aryna Sabalenka was accused of saying “f*** you” after beating Elina Svitolina in the 2026 Australian Open semi-final. Sabalenka said she was only thanking the referee.
Key Facts
- Match: Australian Open women’s semi-final, 29 January 2026.
- Players: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) and Elina Svitolina (Ukraine).
- Claim: Fans said a video showed Sabalenka swearing as she celebrated.
- Sabalenka’s response: She said she thanked the referee.
- Status: Not verified.
No Handshake
Svitolina did not shake hands after the match. She has a stance against shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian players because of the war in Ukraine. Sabalenka said she respected that decision.
Other Drama
The match also featured a hindrance call over Sabalenka’s grunting, Fox Sports reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Sabalenka swear at Svitolina?
It has not been verified. Sabalenka said she was thanking the referee.
Why didn’t Svitolina shake hands?
She does not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players because of the war in Ukraine.
When was the match?
29 January 2026, in the Australian Open semi-finals.
Conclusion
The video went viral, but what Sabalenka said remains unclear.
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