Sabalenka fined for her behavior in the US Open final

The image of Aryna Sabalenka smashing a racket moments after losing the US Open 2026 final went viral and joined the various outbursts and ungracious behavior exhibited by the Belarusian during and after the final. It has ultimately cost her a financial penalty.

Perhaps many casual tennis fans are not entirely familiar with what the penalties entail for players during matches. There is a well-defined regulatory code by which chair umpires can issue a warning to players for certain acts on the court. In total, there are 6 different infractions that result in monetary fines based on their severity. 

The reason for the harsh penalty against Sabalenka at the US Open

At the end of the tournament, players who have received these penalties must pay the fines, which is done by deducting the appropriate amount from the prize money they have earned based on the round in which they were eliminated. In the US Open 2026, a total of 19 players were sanctioned, including Aryna Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka officially lost the WTA World No. 1 ranking to Elena Rybakina…

And apparently the racquet has been identified as the prime suspect. 🤣

US Open 2026 Women’s Singles Final:
Player lost. Racquet caught the blame. Case closed. pic.twitter.com/Dtb5zzReF1

— American Nightmare 🇺🇸 (@thewakeninq) September 13, 2026

The Belarusian received a warning for racket abuse for smashing it after the final. As a result, she will have to pay $7,500. This is a larger amount than what other players punished for the same thing, such as Cerúndolo, Svricina, Darderi, Moutet, or Fils, have had to pay. Depending on the intensity with which the racket is destroyed and the timing, the monetary fine varies from $2,500 to $7,500, with the most common amount being $5,000.

In Sabalenka's case, the penalty has been greater because the racket abuse was repeated and intense, culminating in the total destruction of her racket at the end of the match, which carries an aggravating factor in the regulations.

The penalties and monetary fines for players at the US Open 2026

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Reviewing the list of penalized players at the US Open, it is striking how the tournament has collected a staggering $112,500, with the largest fine being imposed on Italian player Luisiana Giovanini, who withdrew from her first-round match after playing and losing 5 games, something interpreted by the organization as a blatant lack of effort.

While it is true that the Italian sees her income reduced by $20,000, the fact is that the prize money for a first-round loser was $140,000, making it worthwhile for her to participate in the tournament despite not being in the best condition and leaving New York without winning a game and still taking home $120,000. Another interesting case is that of Corentin Moutet, who was sanctioned for two distinct infractions, totaling a fine of $15,000.

In short, we see how the disciplinary measures at the US Open impose monetary fines that are far below the earnings of the players, making it worthwhile for most of them to engage in reprehensible behavior that is not positive for those who view them as role models.

This is where the case of Aryna Sabalenka becomes particularly relevant, as the Belarusian generates massive media attention and is an idol for many young girls dreaming of following in her footsteps. Her social responsibility is significant, and her behavior after losing to Rybakina lacked the composure and sportsmanship expected from a great champion.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka es multada por su comportamiento en la final del US Open