Outgoing world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was fined $7,500 for racket abuse after smashing her equipment following a three-set defeat to incoming world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, according to a statement of fines issued by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Rybakina ended Sabalenka’s title defense with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium, capping off a tournament that saw a total of $112,500 in fines deducted from players’ prize money.
Aryna Sabalenka Fined $7,500 for Racket Smash
Following the final match, the 28-year-old Belarusian sat on her bench at the side of the court and smashed one of her rackets into the playing surface. According to the Grand Slam Rulebook cited by the USTA, players are prohibited from violently or with anger hitting, kicking, or throwing a racquet or other equipment within the tournament precincts.
In her post-match news conference, the four-time Grand Slam champion explained her reaction to the loss. “It’s really tough to control your emotions when you lose in the final of the Grand Slam and when you were trying to go for three-peat,” Sabalenka said, as reported by tournament coverage. “So I just wanted to let it go, because if I would hold it inside, right now or there on the court, I wouldn’t be able to say a word, or I would just go not really nice over there. So I just wanted to let all of that aggression and disappointment go outside.”
Did you know?
Sabalenka’s penalty was one of 11 racket abuse fines handed out to players during the tournament.
Other Notable Code Violations and Fines at the Tournament
Sabalenka was not the only competitor penalized for on-court conduct during the event. Other players sanctioned for racket abuse included France’s No. 10 seed Arthur Fils, Argentina’s No. 24 seed Francisco Cerúndolo, and Corentin Moutet of France, who also incurred a $10,000 fine for violating the tournament’s dress and equipment code, according to the USTA statement.
Additional penalties addressed audible obscenities and unsportsmanlike behavior. Swiss No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic received a $5,000 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct after she swatted a ball into the crowd during her first-round match against Yulia Putinitseva, striking a spectator. Bencic was not disqualified from the match. Meanwhile, France’s Térence Atmane received a $7,500 verbal abuse fine during a match against Spain’s Jaume Munar after an argument with a trainer who declined to treat him for muscle cramps.
The Largest Fine: First-Round Performance Rule
The largest individual financial penalty of the tournament targeted an opening-round qualifying match. Nineteen-year-old Luisina Giovannini of Argentina was fined $20,000—representing just over 60 percent of her $32,000 first-round qualifying prize money—for violating the first-round performance rule.
According to tournament rules, a referee may fine a player up to their first-round prize money if they do not perform to the required professional standard. Considerations include recent injury retirements, the duration of a player’s absence prior to the match, and the use of “best effort.” Giovannini retired while trailing Lucia Bronzetti 5-0 in the opening set after 17 minutes, having arrived in New York without playing a competitive match in two months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much was Aryna Sabalenka fined?
Aryna Sabalenka was fined $7,500 by the USTA for racket abuse following her loss in the final.
What triggered the largest fine of the tournament?
The largest fine of $20,000 was issued to Luisina Giovannini under the first-round performance rule during the singles qualifying rounds.
Where do tournament fines go?
According to the USTA statement of fines, all penalties assessed during the event are deducted directly from the players’ prize money.
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