Follow us on Google Discover Aryna Sabalenka is at the centre of a highly debated topic after her actions at the Wuhan Open.
Sabalenka was bidding to make history at the Wuhan Open, the WTA 1000 tournament where she was the three-time defending champion.
The world number one was playing her first tournament since the US Open, with Sabalenka explaining why she took some time off after winning her fourth Grand Slam title.
However, after reaching the semifinals, Sabalenka was beaten by Jessica Pegula, as her streak in Wuhan came crashing down.
Photo by Wang He/Getty ImagesTennis told it needs to make a rule change after Aryna Sabalenka incident
While Sabalenka losing a tennis match is always notable, there was perhaps an even bigger talking point in the latter stages of her semifinal defeat to Pegula.
After failing to serve out the match, Sabalenka actually found herself a break down in the deciding set and was extremely frustrated after being broken by Pegula.
This resulted in Sabalenka launching her racket at the net in anger, with a ball boy nearly getting hit as a result of the Belarusian’s frustrations.
Sabalenka has been criticised for her behaviour before, and tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg believes a rule needs to be introduced to prevent this from ever happening again.
He wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “I am late to this moment, but both tours need to meaningfully crack down on players launching projectiles in anger, it’s a terrible look and genuinely dangerous for people around the courts. Sabalenka was lucky this wasn’t much worse, as BvdZ [Botic van de Zandschulp] was last week.”
The other incident Rothenberg was speaking about related to current world number 86 Botic van de Zandschulp, who launched a ball into the crowd at the Shanghai Masters, but fortunately it did not hit anyone.
I am late to this moment, but both tours need to meaningfully crack down on players launching projectiles in anger, it’s a terrible look and genuinely dangerous for people around the courts. Sabalenka was lucky this wasn’t much worse, as BvdZ was last week. https://t.co/C8lJ4pn7ai
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) October 13, 2025
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Aryna Sabalenka continues to be criticised by tennis fans following incident at the Wuhan Open
Rothenberg does not appear to be alone in his thoughts about tougher sanctions being placed on players for these types of behaviours.
Several tennis fans on social media have expressed their frustrations at incidents like this taking place, and suggested potential punishments for players like Sabalenka doing such a thing.
One person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “An automatic suspension should be enforced. I’m so sick of these privileged tennis players coming within inches of harming people who make their time on court easier.”
An automatic suspension should be enforced. I’m so sick of these privileged tennis players coming within inches of harming people who make their time on court easier
— Roseanne (@Roseanne13) October 13, 2025
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Another person claimed Sabalenka should have been defaulted on the spot, “She should have been disqualified and heavily fined.”
She should have been disqualified and heavily fined.
— DavidC (@REOSuperFan) October 13, 2025
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Someone else suggested a more lenient punishment, “Smashing or throwing racket should be automatic point penalty. Then further if they hit someone.”
Smashing or throwing racket should be automatic point penalty. Then further if they hit someone.
— Brian Holaday (@briholaday) October 14, 2025
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It is not yet clear if or what Sabalenka’s punishment could be for this incident, but it seems that there is a general feeling that incidents like this cannot continue to go unnoticed.
Sabalenka will next compete at the year-end WTA Finals in Riyadh, in her final tournament of the 2025 season.