Frustration Comes at a Cost
Aryna Sabalenka has been handed a $7,500 fine following her emotional outburst during and after her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the 2026 US Open women’s singles final.
The Belarusian star saw her bid for a historic third consecutive US Open championship come to an end on September 12, losing 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to Rybakina at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The defeat was followed by a highly emotional reaction that has now resulted in financial punishment from the United States Tennis Association.
A Heated Final
Sabalenka’s frustration had already been visible during the championship match. After being broken in the opening set, she sent a ball into the crowd and received a code violation.
Her emotions continued to boil over as the contest progressed. At another point, she struck a ball toward the back of the court, narrowly missing a cameraman.
After Rybakina eventually secured the championship, Sabalenka returned to her courtside chair and smashed her racquet several times against the court. The incident became one of the most talked-about moments of the final.
The $7,500 Penalty
The USTA subsequently issued Sabalenka a $7,500 fine for racket and ball abuse connected to her conduct during the final.
Reports indicate that the penalty is deducted from her tournament earnings. Despite the fine, Sabalenka still collected $2.8 million as the runner-up after reaching the final of the New York Grand Slam.
The punishment came as tournament officials finalized their disciplinary record for the 2026 US Open. The event reportedly recorded $112,500 in fines across 20 code-of-conduct violations.
A Painful Three-Peat Miss
The defeat was particularly difficult for Sabalenka because she arrived in New York as the two-time defending champion, hoping to join an exclusive group of players who have won the US Open three years in succession.
Instead, Rybakina produced a composed performance to claim her first US Open crown and third Grand Slam title. The Kazakh also ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows.
The result also ended Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the WTA rankings, with Rybakina moving into the world No. 1 position following her triumph.
Sabalenka Explains Her Reaction
Sabalenka later acknowledged the intensity of the moment, explaining that the pressure surrounding the attempt to complete a three-peat made controlling her emotions particularly difficult.
She indicated that releasing her frustration was her way of dealing with the disappointment rather than keeping everything inside. Despite her anger immediately after the match, she congratulated Rybakina and recognized her opponent’s achievement during the trophy presentation.
The final therefore became a complicated night for Sabalenka: she reached another Grand Slam championship match but left New York without the title she had hoped to defend.
Rybakina Celebrates Historic Victory
For Rybakina, the victory completed a remarkable run at Flushing Meadows. She defeated Sabalenka in three sets after recovering from losing the second set and maintained her composure when the match entered its decisive stages.
The triumph also continued a remarkable 2026 rivalry between the two players. Rybakina had previously defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier in the season.
While Sabalenka’s racquet-smashing episode will remain part of the final’s headlines, the championship ultimately belonged to Rybakina. For Sabalenka, the $7,500 fine adds another consequence to an emotionally charged night that ended her pursuit of a historic US Open three-peat.