Sabalenka apologises after viral clip of swearing during WTA Finals loss to Svitolina

Aryna Sabalenka apologised after a viral clip showed her swearing on court during her WTA Finals defeat by Elina Svitolina on Saturday. She has denied that the comments were aimed at Svitolina.

A video posted on social media captured the world number two angrily gesturing and swearing in Russian during the 6-3 3-6 6-1 loss to Ukraine's Svitolina. Some commentators interpreted the remarks as an insult directed at Svitolina or Ukrainians more broadly. Sabalenka later wrote on social media that "my comment was not directed at Elina".

"I was frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally in the moment," the 28-year-old wrote. "That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone offended."

Sabalenka also said Svitolina had played a great match and added that she wished her "all the best for the rest of the tournament".

Ukrainian players have a long-standing policy of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players because of the ongoing invasion of their country. They also do not take pre-match photographs with each other.

Sabalenka's season ended by Svitolina at the WTA Finals. Aryna Sabalenka will be replaced as world number two by Mirra Andreeva on Monday.