In a recent match at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Aryna Sabalenka found herself in an unusual situation that left both fans and commentators buzzing. During her quarterfinal match against Elise Mertens, Sabalenka questioned a call made by the chair umpire, Miriam Bley. The Belarusian player believed the ball mark on the clay court indicated a different outcome than what was called.
When Sabalenka requested the umpire to verify the mark, her request was denied. Undeterred, she decided to take matters into her own hands—literally. Sabalenka captured a photo of the disputed mark on her phone, an action rarely, if ever, seen in professional tennis. Her decision to document the evidence sparked a mix of reactions, ranging from admiration for her determination to surprise at the unconventional move.
After the match, which Sabalenka won convincingly with a score of 6-4, 6-1, she addressed the incident during a press conference. She noted that the handshake with the umpire felt unusually firm, possibly reflecting the umpire’s displeasure with her actions. Sabalenka, however, maintained her composure and chose not to escalate the situation further.
Aryna Sabalenka in 2025
Ranked no.1, Aryna played her last match on the 19th of April when she defeated world no.29 Elise Mertens 6-4 6-1 in the quarter in Stuttgart (draw).
This season Sabalenka has managed to achieve a compiled 24-4 record. Sabalenka has won 2 titles in 2025 in Brisbane and Miami. Aryna got to the final at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.