US Open called out for making Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘private moment’ public after losing in the final

The decision to share a ‘private moment’ showing tennis star Aryna Sabalenka in the aftermath of her loosing the US open to Coco Gauff has sparked debate online.

The 25-year-old won the first set against her US opponent, but went on to lose 2-6 6-3 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Saturday (September 9).

Following her loss, the Belarusian athlete was filmed walking into the warm up area with her bag and runner-up trophy which she coolly and calmly places on the floor.

However, she then appears to lose her composure and lets out her frustrations at being beaten by repeatedly smashing her racket onto the ground and eventually chucking it in the bin.

The footage was broadcast during post-match coverage and has since been shared online.

But tennis coach Judy Murray - the mother of tennis ace Andy Murray who won the US Open in 2012 - hit out the decision to air the footage.

In a post on X, formerly know as Twitter, Murray wrote: “This footage should never have been made public.

X

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

Others agreed, with one follower writing: “Totally agreed! She should have been left to just ‘grieve’ in peace and let it all out.”

Another said: “I agree, this is a shame. Losing and winning are a part of life. Competing, giving your best and striving is human nature. It's a shame that a person's emotions are being made public this way.”

A third commented: “Totally agree shouldn’t have been made public however all it says to me is she cares about winning and is human - full stop.”

Eurosport/X

However, a different angle of the footage shows that a camera crew - believed to be filming the second season of Netflix’s Point Break, which follows elite tennis stars aiming to win Grand Slam titles - was present and filming the whole thing, which some people reckon changes the narrative slightly.

Responding to the clip, one person pointed out: “She had a camera crew in there with her. It's going to be very public when the documentary is published.”

Someone else added: “She knew she was being filmed. There’s a wide shot with an additional camera crew and mic boom in the changing room.”

While another X user said: “Not a private moment at all. She knows cameras are around and is very well aware of them. Don't you see crew there?”