Aryna Sabalenka Stirred Controversy on Purpose, Discloses Marta Kostyuk Before Italian Open Blockbuster

As Marta Kostyuk gears up to face Aryna Sabalenka again, this time at the Italian Open, the Ukrainian touched on the highly controversial moment that marred their last encounter during the Madrid Open.

Sabalenka halted play mid-rally in a tiebreak to avoid a potential double fault. The incident left Kostyuk visibly frustrated and sparked questions about fair play, umpiring decisions, and sportsmanship.

“Yes, we did consider raising it with the WTA,” Kostyuk said in an interview at the Italian open. “Sandra [Zaniewska] had a few questions, and maybe we’ll come back to it during Roland Garros. But of course, nothing will change now.”

The moment in question occurred during a high-pressure tiebreak when Sabalenka, mid-rally and facing a second serve, stopped play due to light rain. 

However, the chair umpire had not made any official call to halt the match, which left Kostyuk fuming at what she viewed as a blatant breach of protocol. 

“The rally had already started — she had no right to interrupt it,” Kostyuk emphasized.

"No matter what the rules say, it’s nearly impossible to challenge the chair umpire’s call in real time — it all happens in a split second," continued Kostyuk. "The situation was strange — if Sabalenka had stopped the point before the first serve, I wouldn’t have any complaints, but the rally had already started and she had no right to interrupt it," she added.

What added further fuel to the fire was Sabalenka’s post-match admission that she intentionally paused play to avoid a double fault.

“What’s most absurd is that she later admitted in an interview that she did it on purpose to avoid a double fault,” said Kostyuk. “I have so many questions and not a single answer. But that’s how it goes sometimes. She’ll have to live with that decision.”