Aryna Sabalenka’s Gesture Risks French Open Crowd Backlash After Defeating Iga Swiatek
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka sparked controversy moments after her stunning 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 victory over four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the French Open 2025 semi-finals on June 5, ending Swiatek’s 26-match Roland Garros winning streak. As reported by Express.co.uk, Sabalenka, celebrating her first French Open final appearance, risked antagonizing the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd by cupping her ear in a gesture perceived as taunting their pro-Swiatek sentiment. The Belarusian, known for her emotional engagement with fans, quickly softened the moment with a warm embrace at the net, reflecting the growing off-court bond between the rivals who practiced together pre-tournament.
The crowd, already subdued after Swiatek’s third-set bagel—her worst Roland Garros set loss—reacted with mixed boos and murmurs, as noted in X posts like @DExpress_Sport’s. Sabalenka’s gesture echoed a 2023 incident where she faced boos after Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk refused a handshake, citing Belarus’ political ties. In her on-court interview, Sabalenka praised the “amazing” atmosphere, saying, “I’m thrilled with the performance today against the toughest opponent on clay,” per The Athletic. However, her ear-cupping was seen by some as provocative, especially given her earlier frustration with sparse morning crowds during her quarter-final against Zheng Qinwen, where she called for “equal treatment” in scheduling women’s matches for night sessions.
Sabalenka’s dominant performance, with 25 aces and only 18 unforced errors, showcased her evolved game, incorporating drop shots and net play, as highlighted by BBC Sport. Her victory, sealed with a 24-minute third-set rout, marked her sixth Grand Slam final and fifth in her last six majors, cementing her as the world’s best player, per @josemorgado on X. Facing Coco Gauff in the final, Sabalenka’s gesture may have been a fleeting lapse, but it underscores the delicate balance of engaging passionate French crowds while chasing her first Roland Garros title.
