Aryna Sabalenka Takes Mid-Match Photo in Controversial Stuttgart Open Clash
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals of the Stuttgart Open with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win over Elise Mertens on Saturday. But the match wasn’t without drama, as Sabalenka found herself in a tense exchange with chair umpire Miriam Bley over a disputed line call.
The incident occurred while Sabalenka was break point down. After her shot was called out, she asked Bley to review the ball mark, convinced it was in. When the call stood, tensions escalated. During the next changeover, with Sabalenka trailing 4-3 in the first set, she retrieved a phone from her team and snapped a photo of the mark — a bold move that earned her a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
After the match, Sabalenka revealed the umpire seemed visibly annoyed.
“I felt how the referee was p*****, probably by the picture I took,” Sabalenka said in a post-match interview.
“When I gave her a handshake, there was a very interesting look and a very strong handshake. I’ve never had it before.”
When asked whether she returned the forceful grip, Sabalenka added:
“No, it’s okay. Why would I play this game with someone like her? It’s okay.”
Despite the controversy, Sabalenka maintained her composure on court and dominated the rest of the match to reach the semi-finals, where she’ll face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Paolini advanced after defeating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3.
Sabalenka is riding strong momentum this clay season, having claimed the Miami Open title last month with a win over Jessica Pegula. She was also a finalist at Indian Wells earlier in March.
In the other Stuttgart semi-final, Ekaterina Alexandrova will take on Jelena Ostapenko.
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Aryna Sabalenka Takes Mid-Match Photo in Controversial Stuttgart Open Clash
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals of the Stuttgart Open with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win over Elise Mertens on Saturday. But the match wasn’t without drama, as Sabalenka found herself in a tense exchange with chair umpire Miriam Bley over a disputed line call.
The incident occurred while Sabalenka was break point down. After her shot was called out, she asked Bley to review the ball mark, convinced it was in. When the call stood, tensions escalated. During the next changeover, with Sabalenka trailing 4-3 in the first set, she retrieved a phone from her team and snapped a photo of the mark — a bold move that earned her a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
After the match, Sabalenka revealed the umpire seemed visibly annoyed.
“I felt how the referee was p*****, probably by the picture I took,” Sabalenka said in a post-match interview.
“When I gave her a handshake, there was a very interesting look and a very strong handshake. I’ve never had it before.”
When asked whether she returned the forceful grip, Sabalenka added:
“No, it’s okay. Why would I play this game with someone like her? It’s okay.”
Despite the controversy, Sabalenka maintained her composure on court and dominated the rest of the match to reach the semi-finals, where she’ll face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Paolini advanced after defeating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3.
Sabalenka is riding strong momentum this clay season, having claimed the Miami Open title last month with a win over Jessica Pegula. She was also a finalist at Indian Wells earlier in March.
In the other Stuttgart semi-final, Ekaterina Alexandrova will take on Jelena Ostapenko.
