Rennae Stubbs is getting annoyed by what Aryna Sabalenka keeps doing after losing in finals, ‘it’s not funny’
Aryna Sabalenka’s strong 2025 season continued with a run to the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, but it ended in disappointment as Jelena Ostapenko swept her aside 6-4, 6-1 to claim her ninth career title.
Despite the loss, Ostapenko had high praise for the world No. 2, who came into the tournament fresh off winning the Miami Open. Sabalenka was the top seed in Stuttgart and a favorite to take the title, but the Latvian proved too dominant on the day.
However, it’s not just the result that’s been making headlines—it’s Sabalenka’s post-match speeches. Former pro and commentator Rennae Stubbs took issue with Sabalenka’s recurring habit of sarcastically addressing her team after losses.
“One thing I’m getting a little tired of with Aryna… we all love the energy and personality, but the passive-aggressive jokes about her team after every final loss? I’m over it,” Stubbs said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
“She keeps saying ‘Great job, guys’ with a sarcastic tone, and then laughs—but it’s not funny anymore. Either thank them genuinely or don’t, but stop making it a punchline.”
Sabalenka’s Stacked Finals Record
Whether Stubbs likes it or not, Sabalenka is likely to keep reaching finals. The Belarusian started the year by winning Brisbane, then reached finals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and now Stuttgart, with a Miami Open title sandwiched in between.
Here’s a look at her WTA Finals record:
| Year | Titles | Runner-Ups |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Miami, Brisbane | Australian Open, Indian Wells, Stuttgart |
| 2024 | Wuhan, US Open, Cincinnati, Australian Open | Brisbane, Madrid, Rome |
| 2023 | Adelaide, Australian Open, Madrid | US Open, Indian Wells, Stuttgart |
| 2022 | – | Stuttgart, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, WTA Finals |
| 2021 | Abu Dhabi, Madrid | Stuttgart |
| 2020 | Doha, Ostrava, Linz | – |
| 2019 | Shenzhen, Wuhan, Zhuhai | San Jose |
| 2018 | New Haven, Wuhan | Lugano, Eastbourne |
| 2017 | – | Tianjin |
What’s Next?
Following a surprise loss to Mirra Andreeva in the Indian Wells final, Sabalenka bounced back in Miami. But as she enters the clay season—a surface less tailored to her aggressive style—all eyes will be on how she adapts.
Rennae Stubbs’ criticism may not slow Sabalenka down, but it adds to the growing conversation around how athletes handle defeat—and what fans (and pundits) expect from them in the spotlight.
