Aryna Sabalenka at the net with Amanda Anisimova of the United States after their match on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka had moment of poor sportsmanship during Wimbledon loss

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 6:02 PM ET

Aryna Sabalenka had a moment of poor sportsmanship during her loss to American Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals at Wimbledon on Thursday.

Anisimova won the match at Centre Court of the All England Club in London, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to advance to her first major final. Anisimova received the benefit after one of her shots hit the top of the net and went over to Sabalenka’s side, making it difficult for Sabalenka to return. That allowed Anisimova to win the point, which is something she seemed grateful for and celebrated.

Players typically will hold up their hand in that situation to acknowledge they received a favorable bounce, which Anisimova did not do. As they changed sides, Sabalenka had a message for Anisimova.

“You want to say sorry?” Sabalenka said.

Sabalenka was asked in her post-match news conference about that moment.

“She just wanted I guess badly to win this match, and it’s on her. She doesn’t feel like saying sorry. Barely got that point and didn’t feel like saying sorry for that tricky situation, that’s on her,” Sabalenka said.

"You don't want to say sorry?"

Aryna Sabalenka wasn't thrilled with Amanda Anisimova's reaction to a contentious point during their #Wimbledon semi-final clash… pic.twitter.com/W368OIUFuJ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 10, 2025

What’s interesting is that Sabalenka feels like Anisimova showed poor sportsmanship. However, the way she went about expressing her frustration with Anisimova in that moment makes Sabalenka look like more of a bad sport.

This isn’t the first time lately that her sportsmanship has come under question.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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