Broadcaster was slammed for ‘insensitive’ footage of Aryna Sabalenka but she’s back eyeing rare US Open feat

Aryna Sabalenka begins the defence of her US Open title on day one in New York – but ‘insensitive’ footage of her near miss two years ago drew widespread criticism.

The world No.1 has been dominant on the WTA Tour this year, but is yet to add to her three career Grand Slam singles titles – losing in tour of the three major finals this year.

Eurosport

After beating home favourite Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 to win at Flushing Meadow 12 months ago, Sabalenka has lost to Coco Gauff in the French Open and Madison Keys in the Australian Open finals this year.

It has given her a career record of three wins and three defeats in Grand Slam finals – and her first defeat on the biggest stage was in the Big Apple.

In 2023, the Belarusian lost 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to Gauff, who claimed her first Grand Slam title to delight the home fans and while Gauff celebrated, it was Sabalenka’s reaction that also captured headlines.

Footage was broadcast at the time of her smashing a racket behind the scenes before calmly putting it in the bin.

The video was out of the view of the public and there was no one else around and many felt it was an invasion of Sabalenka’s privacy at a moment of professional disappointment.

So the decision to resurface it caused former US Open doubles champion Paul McNamee wrote on X: “Not impressed by ESPN showing Sabalenka smashing her racquet in the gym after last year’s loss in the final… unnecessary, insensitive and as for timing? … yikes.”

At the time of the live footage, Judy Murray was critical, believing Sabalenka deserved the moment to herself.

“This footage should never have been made public,” she wrote on X.

“A private moment in an empty training room after the disappointment of losing a Grand Slam final.”

Sabalenka returns to New York chasing a third successive US Open final, an achievement last recorded by six-time champion Serena Williams who reached four in a row, including three successive victories in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

That was also Williams last title in the city that never sleeps, and it was also the last time any player defended the women’s title – as ever Sabalenka is embracing the challenge.

“My thought is to change that….my hopes, I’d say,” she said in her pre tournament press conference.

“I was trying to ignore this statistic. But, wow, that’s insane how unpredictable woman tennis is, right? Should we change it?”

Switzerland’s Rebeacca Makarova, the world No. 109 provides the opposition as Sabalenka has the honour of starting the tournament on Arthur Ashe stadium as the defending champion.

French Open and Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek is in the opposite side of the draw, meaning a repeat of last year’s final against Jessica Pegula is a potential semifinal.

Jasmine Paolini, Clara Tauson and former US Open runner up Leylah Fernandez are the notable seeds that block Sabalenka’s path to repeating.

“Maybe defending champions put too much pressure on themselves. But I feel like I’m experienced enough to just focus on myself and try to replicate that result.”

“I think it’s a lot of pressure, definitely. This place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other Slams in some ways,” she said.

The 27-year-old, who now calls Miami home, dropped just one set in her run to the title last year, and as much as the scenes in 2023 were disappointing, it was delight in 2024.

She picked up a winners cheque of $3.6million and also was handed her own custom WWE belt after being showed with champagne by her team in the changing rooms.

“I am speechless right now,” she said amid emotional scenes after being handed the trophy.

“So many times I thought I was so close to getting the US Open title, it has always been a dream of mine and finally I have got this beautiful trophy, it means a lot.

“I’m proud of my family that they never gave up on my dream and that they were doing everything they could to keep me going. I had this opportunity in life so it really means a lot. It has always been my dream.”

Sabalenka has reached seven finals this year on the WTA Tour, with the 1000 level titles in Miami and Madrid the biggest of her season so far.