Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 1 and defending Cincinnati Open champion, displayed her true character with a heartfelt gesture following a grueling three-hour, nine-minute battle against Emma Raducanu in the third round of the 2025 Cincinnati Open on August 11. The Belarusian star edged out the former US Open champion in a thrilling 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) match, but it was her post-match conduct that captured attention, reciprocating Raducanu’s sportsmanship with warmth and praise.
The match was a titanic clash, with both players pushing each other to the limit. Raducanu, ranked No. 39, showed resilience by forcing a third set after dropping the first in a tiebreak, even winning more total points (125 to Sabalenka’s 122) despite the loss. At the net, Raducanu’s dejection was evident, but Sabalenka greeted her with a knowing smile and a warm hug, a moment that visibly lifted the Brit’s spirits. A post on X from @islandtennisace captured the exchange: “Aryna Sabalenka greeted her with a knowing smile (one only those who’ve battled together can share) and went in for a hug, you could see Emma lift a bit at the warm gesture.”
Sabalenka’s sportsmanship extended beyond the handshake. In her post-match comments, she praised Raducanu’s tenacity, saying, “She played an incredible level, and it was a tough battle. I’m super happy I was able to stay focused and fight for every point.” This echoed her earlier praise after their Wimbledon clash in July 2025, where she predicted Raducanu’s return to the top, stating, “She’s definitely gonna get back in the top, maybe not in months, but in a bit longer period.” Sabalenka also responded to Raducanu’s Instagram post after Wimbledon, writing, “You played incredibly good 🔥. I’m sure we gonna play big matches in the future,” reinforcing her respect.
Raducanu’s gesture of sportsmanship, including her post-Wimbledon message wishing Sabalenka luck, set the tone for their mutual respect. Despite the loss, Raducanu showed fight, winning her first career set against Sabalenka and pushing the match to a third-set tiebreak. However, controversy arose when Raducanu called for a crying child to be removed from the crowd, a moment highlighted by @BobbyTh46974950 on X, which some saw as a reaction to the intense pressure.
Sabalenka’s victory, marred by 72 unforced errors as noted by @talkingtennis22, showcased her ability to “win ugly,” a testament to her mental fortitude. Her classy response to Raducanu’s effort, combined with her warm gesture, underscored her reputation as a fierce competitor with a gracious side. As Sabalenka advances to face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the round of 16, her sportsmanship continues to resonate, with @ExpressUSSport noting her “feelings clear” about Raducanu’s effort. For more details, check sources like Express.co.uk or Tennisworldusa.org. If you have a specific article or further context, share it, and I can refine the response!
