Aryna Sabalenka’s frustration was on full display during the US Open final against Elena Rybakina, who, in contrast, remained composed even while receiving a check worth more than $5 million. Sabalenka looked increasingly frustrated throughout the match as things failed to go the way she wanted.Sabalenka is known for her explosive personality and for showing exactly what she is feeling in the moment, whether things are going well or not. This time, Rybakina was able to find Sabalenka’s weakest points and use them to her advantage. The Belarusian’s power was undeniable, but the Kazakh knew how to place her shots where Sabalenka could not reach them, combining precision with the distance she created on the court.Rybakina found the answersIt was a Grand Slam final worthy of the stage, with both players showing a high level of tennis. But for Sabalenka, this victory carried extra weight for two clear reasons. Rybakina had already taken the trophy from her in Australia, and she also held the world No. 1 ranking. Even if Rybakina had lost the US Open final, Sabalenka would not have been able to immediately reclaim the top spot.The victory would have allowed Sabalenka to erase both of those setbacks and prove that she was still the best player in the world. This time, though, neither objective was achieved. Rybakina played the better tennis in the third set and stayed ice-cool when it mattered most to secure the title.Sabalenka’s frustration boiled overThe defeat was so devastating that Sabalenka did not wait until she reached the locker room to show her frustration. As the runner-up, she had to remain on court for the trophy ceremony and receive her finalist trophy, despite clearly not wanting to be there in that moment.After the match, Sabalenka broke her racket before sitting down with her team, where she remained silent while processing the loss. Then the stadium cameras pointed directly at her. When she realized the camera was in front of her, she tried to wave it away and clearly mouthed a strong F-bomb at it.
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