StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

SHOCK REACTION: ELENA RYBAKINA RESPONDS TO SABALENKA'S WTA INSULT

Elena Rybakina claims the WTA Finals title over Aryna Sabalenka, who made a frustrated comment about her opponent's "lucky" win.

Shock Reaction: Elena Rybakina Responds to Sabalenka's WTA Insult
! Rybakina Responds To Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina finished 2025 on a high note, winning the WTA Finals. Aryna Sabalenka, her opponent, wasn't thrilled, naturally.

In sports, only one person can win. The WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were no different. The eight top players battled for the season's last trophy, with Rybakina and Sabalenka in the showdown.

Both players hit the ball with power, making it an exciting match. Rybakina left Saudi Arabia happy, while Sabalenka, upset by the loss, hurried off to the Maldives, eager to forget her disappointment.

Sabalenka was reportedly overheard saying about her opponent's victory, "Even a stick shoots once a year," which some took as her dismissing Rybakina's win as mere luck. She’d made similar remarks after losing to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at the French Open.

It's understandable why Sabalenka felt frustrated. She finished 2025 as world number one and earned the most prize money in a season on the WTA Tour, but she came close to a Calendar Slam, losing all three major matches in three sets.

The WTA Finals loss seemed like the final blow in a year of close calls for Sabalenka. When Rybakina was asked about Sabalenka's comment in an interview, she wasn't offended.

I heard about it after the match, but I understand what she meant. We've played each other a lot, especially this year, so I don't take it personally. I like Aryna and her team, so it doesn't bother me, even if she was talking about me.

When tennis players are competing, they have to stick to a strict diet and routine. The tennis schedule is tough, and losing focus can hurt them.

The off-season is their chance to relax, so Rybakina was asked how she spent her first days after the season ended. She said she ate pastries and cake and caught up on sleep.

When I'm playing in tournaments, I try to avoid sweets. But as soon as the season was over, I ate all kinds of pastries. They even gave me a cake with the WTA logo, so I celebrated.”

I also slept more, did nothing special, and relaxed for a few days. I even went to a concert, which is something different for me.

WHY ARYNA SABALENKA’S CLINICAL DEMOLITION OF MUCHOVA MAKES HER THE MELBOURNE FAVORITE

Aryna Sabalenka beats Muchova to reach her third straight Brisbane final. She faces giant-killer Marta Kostyuk for the 2026 title.

top-news
Aryna Sabalenka cruises past Karolina Muchova to set up Kostyuk showdown

Aryna Sabalenka powered past Karolina Muchova in straight sets on Saturday, booking her spot in the Brisbane International final for the third year in a row—just a week out from the Australian Open.

Sabalenka looked sharp. Muchova, who’s had the upper hand in their last three matches and actually holds a winning record against the world number one, came in as a real threat. But Sabalenka didn’t care about history. She broke Muchova once in each set, kept her foot on the gas, and closed out the semifinal 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes. Now, she’ll face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in Sunday’s final.

On the men’s side, Daniil Medvedev, the former world number one, gets unseeded American Brandon Nakashima in the final.

“I’ve struggled against her before,” Sabalenka said about Muchova. “But today, I stayed focused from the start, played some great tennis, put her under pressure, and I’m happy to get it done in straight sets.”

The 27-year-old from Belarus feels her game is clicking more with every match in Brisbane—she hasn’t dropped a set yet. With seven of the world’s top ten in the draw, she says this is perfect prep for Melbourne, where the Australian Open starts January 18. Sabalenka’s eyeing her third Australian Open title in four years.

“Honestly, compared to my first match here, I can feel my level going up,” she said. “That’s huge before Melbourne. It’s about building form, playing tough matches, and getting ready for what’s next. I’m really happy with how it’s going and can’t wait for the final.”

Kostyuk, ranked 26th, absolutely steamrolled world number six Jessica Pegula, 6-0, 6-3, in just 55 minutes—a masterclass in power and aggression. That’s three top-ten wins in a row for her. Before Pegula, she took out world number three Amanda Anisimova in the third round, then ninth-ranked Mirra Andreeva in the quarters.

“Today was just one of those days where everything goes right,” Kostyuk said, grinning. “Honestly, I haven’t had many matches like this, especially against top-10 players. It’s a huge bonus, especially in these tough Brisbane conditions—hot and humid.”

Kostyuk has never beaten Sabalenka in four tries, but she’s not feeling the pressure.

“All the pressure’s on her. I just want to go out, play well, and give the crowd a good show,” she said. “I’ve got nothing to lose.”

In the men’s semifinals, Medvedev beat American Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-2, and Nakashima knocked out another American, Aleksandar Kovacevic, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

FOUR IN A ROW? THE RECORD-BREAKING STAT COCO GAUFF JUST SET AGAINST IGA SWIATEK

Coco Gauff dominates Iga Swiatek at the United Cup. Poland advances to the final as Swiatek opts for private Australian Open prep.

top-news
Coco Gauff stuns Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-2 to keep USA hopes alive

Coco Gauff handed Iga Swiatek a tough loss in the United Cup semi-final, stopping Swiatek’s unbeaten run at the tournament. Gauff took control early and never really let go, winning 6-4, 6-2. That win kept the United States alive after Taylor Fritz lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the first match.

Swiatek hadn’t dropped a singles match at the United Cup before running into Gauff, who now has Swiatek’s number—four straight wins. After the match, Swiatek went online to share how she felt about her first loss of the season.

Even with Swiatek losing, Poland still clinched a spot in the final thanks to Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński, who beat Gauff and Christian Harrison in doubles. Next up for Poland: a showdown with Switzerland. Swiatek is set to face Belinda Bencic in singles.

On Instagram, Swiatek admitted the loss stung but tried to keep things positive. “Challenging day for me today, but some important lessons to be learned. I’m super grateful for my team and their passion,” she wrote. She also praised her teammates for fighting through and getting Poland to the final: “What a fight tonight! See you in the final tomorrow with another chance.”

Before Gauff stopped her, Swiatek had beaten Eva Lys, Maya Jantchou, and Suzan Lamens in singles at the United Cup.

So, what’s next for Swiatek before the Australian Open? There’s a week between the United Cup and the start of the tournament, but she’s not playing any warm-up events. While other top players are heading to Adelaide or Hobart, Swiatek has decided to train in private instead.

She’s made it clear before that she isn’t a fan of the crowded WTA schedule and doesn’t mind taking a sanction if it means skipping some tournaments. So, it’s not really shocking she’s sitting out before Melbourne.

Historically, the Australian Open hasn’t been her best Grand Slam—she’s never won it, and her deepest run was the semi-finals. The last time she got that far, Madison Keys knocked her out before going on to win the whole thing in 2025. Now, Swiatek’s looking for another shot at the title that’s eluded her.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News