Emotions were running high, and for good reason. A spot in the Australian Open final was on the line. Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina were performing at full throttle on the main court, unleashing their best shots in an intense battle to overpower one another.
However, a highly unusual situation emerged during the clash that bewildered not only the players involved but also the spectators inside the stadium and the millions watching the match on television worldwide.
While the chair umpire reviewed the moment to either confirm or overturn her initial ruling, the Belarusian player waited patiently for the final decision on whether the action would be considered a violation or not.
The penalty that unleashed the beast within Aryna Sabalenka
After reviewing the footage of the infraction committed by Sabalenka, the ruling was upheld. The moment became tense, as the player could not understand the decision and, showing visible disdain toward the umpire, returned to her game with clear irritation.
According to the chair umpire, Aryna screamed excessively, and this was interpreted as an attempt to destabilize Elina Svitolina while they were contesting the game. From the official’s perspective, the noise was sufficient to disrupt her opponent’s concentration.
You go, ‘Ah, ah-ya.’ You don’t make the normal sound.
The umpire said to Sabalenka, who immediately requested that the play be reviewed on video. After a detailed examination, the penalty was confirmed.
Aryna Sabalenka uses the penalty as motivation
After defeating her Ukrainian opponent with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 scoreline, Aryna said in the post-match press conference that the call made her extremely angry, but that it also turned out to be beneficial.
She explained that it became a powerful source of motivation, awakening the beast within and allowing her to make it clear that she is once again chasing another Australian Open title.
With this result, she has now reached her fourth final and is aiming to seal it with yet another championship, reinforcing her status as the best player in women’s tennis at the moment.
Especially with my grunting I had … it’s so off, I think. The way I excel, I don’t know how to explain it. The ball was deep, the bounce was wrong, like the timing and I was exhaling. It just happened naturally, and she called it, and I was like, ‘What? What is wrong with you?’ I think it was wrong call, but whatever.
She really – how do I say it in a nice way – she really pissed me off and it actually helped me, it really helped my game.
I was more aggressive, I was not happy with the call and it really helped me with that game. So, if she ever wants to do it again, I’ll make sure she’s not afraid of it, go ahead, it’ll help me.
Sabalenka said.
A fourth history-filled final for Aryna Sabalenka
With this new appearance, Sabalenka becomes the third woman in the Open Era to achieve this feat, following Evonne Goolagong and Martina Hingis.
The final will be played this Saturday, January 31, 2026, against fifth seed Elena Rybakina, who defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 7-6 in the semifinals.
It was a great battle (against Sabalenka in 2023).”… “In the end, she played a bit better and it was well deserved. I want to enjoy the final and hopefully I can serve better than today. I am so excited.
Rybakina said.
Revenge or reaffirmation of greatness will define this 2026 final.
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