Nick Kyrgios has come to the defense of Aryna Sabalenka after the world No. 1 faced backlash for throwing her racket during a heated moment in her Wuhan semifinal match against Jessica Pegula. The Belarusian star, frustrated after squandering a 5-2 lead in the third set, hurled her racket, which bounced off a chair and narrowly missed a nearby cameraman. Sabalenka immediately apologized for the incident, but the close call sparked criticism from some quarters.
Tennis rules are strict about actions that endanger others, with players risking instant disqualification for hitting someone with a ball or racket in frustration. Although Sabalenka avoided such a penalty and lost the match, her actions drew scrutiny. Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg took to social media, stating, “Both tours must take stronger action against players throwing objects in anger. It’s a bad look and dangerous for those around the court. Sabalenka was fortunate this didn’t end worse, as seen in a similar incident last week.”
Kyrgios, never one to shy away from controversy, hit back at Rothenberg’s critique, telling the journalist to “shut up” and defending Sabalenka’s emotional reaction as part of the sport’s intensity. The outspoken Australian’s support has added fuel to the ongoing debate about player conduct and safety on the court, with fans and commentators divided over the incident.
