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NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 09: Aryna Sabalenka (L) speaks after women’s singles final match against Coco Gauff (not seen) at US Open Championships at Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York on September 9, 2023. Gauff won over Aryna Sabalenka in three sets, it was her first ever Grand Slam win. (Photo by Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 09: Aryna Sabalenka (L) speaks after women’s singles final match against Coco Gauff (not seen) at US Open Championships at Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York on September 9, 2023. Gauff won over Aryna Sabalenka in three sets, it was her first ever Grand Slam win. (Photo by Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
It is not easy to maintain one’s cool amidst an intense match. Even a small disagreement with the umpire can turn into a heated argument. And that is what happened with Aryna Sabalenka as well. The second-seeded Belarusian lost her cool while participating in an exchange with the chair umpire during her match against Emma Raducanu at the Indian Wells.
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Even though she won the game, Sabalenka still went ahead to clarify her stance with the umpire and it turned into an argument. Just recently she cleared how it may have made her look ‘stupid’ in this on-court blunder.
Aryna Sabalenka calls herself ‘stupid Barbie’ after on-court blunder
During the match, at one point Sabalenka lost her temper and swore on the court due to which she was given a warning by the chair umpire. After the match was over, Sabalenka got into an argument with the umpire where she used curse words. She even shared her experience, “I just told her you could just avoid that warning. It wasn’t that bad.”
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The reporter even suggested that she could have cursed in Russian and to her response she called herself stupid. Sabalenka continued, “I was like you’re pissed. F**k this sh*t. Did I really say that? (Laughter.) Oh, my God. I mean, someone has to be stupid. I take this role. I’m a Barbie. (Laughter.)”
Well as interesting as it sounds, the tournament is not over yet and Sabalenka still has a long way to go. She will now be playing against Emma Navarro in the third round. Now that’s a first.
Sabalenka to play against Navarro for the 1 time in the third round of Indian Wells
Aryna Sabalenka and Emma Navarro have never played against each other. Navarro defeated Elina Svitolina to reach the third round of the tournament. With a career-high ranking of 23 in the WTA tour, playing against the Australian Open champ might be challenging for Navarro.
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However, the American’s performance against Svitolina with a win of 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 gives hope to fans that she may still win. Also, out of the 22 matches Navarro has played this season, she won 17 out of them, which is a good place to start as well. In fact, she also reached the semifinals of the ASB Classic and the San Diego Open.
Who do you think will win? Let us know!
Written by
Edited by
Arunima Bhanot