Aryna Sabalenka has heard the criticism before. Her racket-smashing, angry reactions and raw displays during matches have often drawn attention, with some questioning whether female players face tougher judgment for showing emotion. The world No. 1, however, does not appear interested in turning that debate into a personal battle. In a new interview with TIME, Sabalenka offered a blunt response when asked whether male players would receive the same scrutiny for similar behavior. Her answer reflected a player who has made peace with the way she competes, even when others do not approve.
Does Aryna Sabalenka think male players get more freedom to show emotions?
Aryna Sabalenka did not deny that a gender gap may exist. She simply refused to let it shape how she approaches competition.The 28-year-old has been involved in several incidents that have fuelled criticism. At the Wuhan Open, her racket narrowly missed a ball kid and a cameraman. At the Miami Open, she smashed her racket after a defeat. During the 2026 Miami final, she received an obscenity warning after reacting angrily to a fan.Those moments have led some fans and analysts to argue that Sabalenka should face stronger penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. She has apologised for some of her actions, but she has also made it clear that releasing her emotions can help her regain control during matches.Asked by TIME whether people would make as much of her behaviour if she were a man, Sabalenka did not offer the expected argument about unfair treatment.“I don’t know,” Sabalenka said. “Maybe we get charged a bit more, but I don’t really mind. I just figure for myself that this is the best way for me. If someone is going to judge me for that, whatever. I don’t really care. It’s not my people.”That attitude is notable because Sabalenka has spent much of her career trying to understand how to manage the intensity that comes with being one of tennis’ biggest stars. Her response suggests she would rather focus on what works for her than spend energy measuring her treatment against male players.
What happened to Aryna Sabalenka’s former boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov?
The interview also touched on a much more painful part of Sabalenka’s life. Her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, died in March 2024 after an apparent suicide at a Miami hotel. Sabalenka said police informed her while she was practising for the Miami Open.She continued competing, explaining that tennis became a way to deal with the grief rather than something she could simply put aside.Her competitive form has since kept her at the top of the sport. Sabalenka has spent 95 consecutive weeks as world No. 1 and is on course to become only the 10th player to reach 100 weeks at the summit.Still, her recent results have been less dominant. Since winning the Miami Open, she has failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals at WTA 1000 events or Grand Slam tournaments, including the French Open and Wimbledon.Cincinnati now offers another chance to find momentum before the US Open, where she is the defending champion. She will face Talia Gibson in the second round in Ohio. For Sabalenka, the bigger test may be finding her best tennis again, not winning approval for how she expresses herself on court.