Aryna Sabalenka gathers evidence as umpire refuses to check dubious mark again at Stuttgart Open

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 Stuttgart Open with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 win over Elise Mertens, but it wasn’t just her tennis that made headlines—it was what she did between points that had fans talking.

During the first set, Sabalenka found herself disputing a questionable line call, and with no electronic line-calling system in place, the World No.1 took matters into her own hands—literally.

In a rare and theatrical moment, Sabalenka pulled out her phone mid-match and snapped a photo of the disputed mark on the clay. The move came as the chair umpire refused to review the spot, prompting Sabalenka to gather her own “evidence.”

“I felt the referee was p****d by the picture I took,” Sabalenka said afterward. “When I gave her a handshake, that was a very interesting look—and a strong handshake. I’ve never had that before.”

At the time of the controversy, Sabalenka was trailing 4-3, but rather than let the incident rattle her, she used it as fuel. From that moment on, she lost just one more game, storming through the rest of the match with ruthless efficiency.

🔜 Semi-Final Showdown Set

Sabalenka will now face Jasmine Paolini, who earlier defeated Coco Gauff in another upset. The other side of the draw features Ekaterina Alexandrova against Jelena Ostapenko, after Iga Swiatek was ousted earlier in the day.

When asked whether she reciprocated the umpire’s firm handshake, Sabalenka replied with a laugh:

“Why would I play this game with someone like her?”

🔥 Drama, Dominance, and Determination

While the focus might have briefly shifted from her racquet to her phone, Sabalenka’s performance on the court left no doubt—she’s in top form and laser-focused on the title in Stuttgart.

With tension rising and the matches getting tighter, Sabalenka’s fire—both literal and figurative—might just carry her all the way to the Porsche.