Aryna Sabalenka and her coaching team have landed themselves in hot water (Image: EUROSPORT)
and her coaching team have landed themselves in hot water after seemingly pretending to urinate on her runner-up trophy.
The defending champion was denied a historic three-peat in Melbourne by Madison Keys, who upset the odds to win her first Grand Slam title at the age of 29.
Sabalenka was visibly distraught in the immediate aftermath of her defeat, .
She eventually put on a brave face to give a classy speech at the trophy presentation, but was criticised for her actions upon returning to the locker room.
Sabalenka was visibly distraught after the match as she smashed her racket (Image: GETTY)
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A video on social media appeared to show Sabalenka and two members of her coaching team laughing as they pretended to urinate on her runners-up trophy. They were seen performing pelvic thrusts over the trophy, which had been placed on the floor.
It prompted fierce criticism on X (formerly Twitter), with some fans branding the incident ‘disgusting’ and ‘disrespectful’.
@humbert1909 wrote: “Okay, that’s way too much… never seen something more disrespectful in tennis.” @HaHeKi22 added: “No class, disrespectful from Sabalenka and team.”
Others urged Sabalenka to apologise, with @darlvm posting: “What a disgusting and disrespectful action. They deserve an explanation and public apology for this terrible gestures.”
@AliyaTage0145 fumed: “Thank God she didn’t win. Making a mockery of runner-up trophy. She doesn’t deserve to win another Slam ever again.”
Some fans were quick to defend Sabalenka and her team by suggesting they were trying to see the funny side of her defeat rather than being overly disrespectful.
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@esom_kim wrote: “I don’t think that’s their intention. Maybe creating something for . It may look weird at first but with the camera effects it will turn out differently.”
@tootsie_wap06 quipped: “I love her, she [is] genuinely herself and she’s like one of the guys,” while @IAmKingTez added: “This how I know Aryna ain’t s*** to play with. She said she don’t settle for finalist. She wants the trophies.”
Sabalenka had to reach the final the hard way, beating her close friend Paula Badosa in the last four, but could not muster enough to overcome an inspired Keys.
After the match, she told her opponent: “You have been playing unbelievable tennis, you crashed it tonight. Congrats to you and your team, really well deserved. Enjoy the celebration, enjoy the fun part.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who makes this tournament happen, thank you for making my stay comfortable. I really feel at home every time I am here.
“Even though I didn’t get it this time, I will be back stronger and will do my best next year. Thank you guys for an amazing atmosphere throughout. You guys are amazing.”