The controversial action of Sabalenka that outraged Kostyuk

Maximum tension, outstanding equality, and small details could determine the outcome of the match. Aryna Sabalenka found herself trailing 4-5 in the tiebreak of the second set in her quarterfinal match at the Mutua Madrid 2025 against Marta Kostyuk when it started to rain. The Belarusian tried to stop the match, but the chair umpire told her to continue playing because the rain was not intense enough to halt the game. After missing her first serve, she unilaterally decided to sit in her chair and put away her rackets, leading to her serving first when the match resumed after the retractable roof was closed. Kostyuk expressed her frustration and even refused to shake hands with the Belarusian, a reaction that was predictable due to the Ukraine, Russia, and consequently, Belarus conflict.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La polémica acción de Sabalenka que indignó a Kostyuk