The tennis world is once again embroiled in controversy after an incident at the Berlin tournament. Elena Rybakina, who had been eliminated from the competition, broke down in tears as she explained the reasons for her defeat. According to the Kazakh player, the reason behind her failure in the match was not only her opponent’s performance, but also an injury and health issues that affected her performance during the match.

“I feel frustrated because I couldn’t play at my best. I was injured and my health wasn’t at its best,” Rybakina said through tears after the match. However, what truly sparked controversy in the tennis community wasn’t Rybakina’s statement, but the attitude of Aryna Sabalenka, her opponent in that match.

After the match, Sabalenka showed no understanding or empathy for her opponent, instead harshly criticizing her. In a subsequent interview, the Belarusian player called Rybakina “too weak” and suggested that she shouldn’t be competing in tournaments due to her poor level of play at the time. Sabalenka commented that Rybakina’s loss was a reflection of her lack of preparation and competitive attitude, which caused widespread outrage among fans and other players.

In response to these comments, Aldo Chiari, Elena Rybakina’s coach, came to his player’s defense and didn’t hesitate to send a strong message to Sabalenka. In a firm and direct tone, Chiari declared: “Don’t touch my player.” The coach emphasized that Sabalenka’s comments were not only insensitive but also inappropriate, given that Rybakina was dealing with injury and health issues. Chiari emphasized that tennis is a sport of mutual respect, and Sabalenka’s statements did not help foster a sporting atmosphere.

This episode has created a deep divide in the tennis world. While some defend Sabalenka’s stance, arguing that there is no room for weakness in professional tennis, others condemn her lack of empathy and respect toward a colleague who was clearly going through a difficult physical moment.

The controversy has intensified with growing criticism from fans and tennis experts, who point out that the rivalry between the two players should not escalate to the point of mutual disrespect. Despite the tensions, what is clear is that tennis remains a sport where off-court conflicts can have as great an impact as those that occur on it.

This incident highlights the importance of respect among athletes and how, even in the most intense competitions, humanity must prevail over rivalry.