Aryna Sabalenka could only laugh as a tennis commentator had to step in and apologise for her ‘colourful’ remark on live TV.
Sabalenka took on her close pal Paula Bedosa in a singles match at the 2024 World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi.
The Belarusian put their friendship aside to prevail 6-2 over Bedosa on Friday.
It also gave Sabalenka’s team at the World Tennis League, the Hawks, a 12-3 lead over Bedosa’s Eagles.
However, the real action came in Sabalenka’s post-match interview where he stood alongside Bedosa.
Sabalenka opened up on the word she utters whenever her frustrations boil over on the court and directed blame for it directly to Bedosa, the top-ranked Spanish female player.
“I was just showing off my Spanish skills,” Sabalenka said.
“It’s your (Bedosa) fault.
“You have to teach me better stuff than p***.”
Upon realising the phrase she’d just said on live television, Sabalenka laughs and then steps away as Bedosa also struggles to contain the giggles.
Given the X-rated nature of Sabalenka’s Spanish phrase, Stan Sport commentator Robbie Koenig was quickly forced to interject.
“Apologies for the colourful language,” Koenig said.
Stan SportSabalenka’s comment sparked laughter from all involved, perhaps out of disbelief[/caption]
Sabalenka and Bedosa are part of a 16-player field at the World Tennis League.
Bedosa is joined on her Eagles team by partner Stefanos Tsitsipas, Iga Swiatek and Alexander Shevchenko.
As for Sabalenka, her Hawks teammates include Russian teen sensation Mirra Andreeva, Sumit Nagal and Jordan Thompson.
The two other teams at the World Tennis League include the Falcons and Kites, with the latter boasting Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios in their ranks.
Although Sabalenka’s immediate focus is in Abu Dhabi, it won’t be long before she casts her gaze to the Australian Open.
Sabalenka will arrive at Melbourne Park aiming to defend her Australian Open crown for a third-straight year.
Should the world No. 1 pull off the remarkable feat, she would be the first player to win three consecutive Australian Open titles since Martina Hingis did so in 1999.
It would also ensure back-to-back grand slam triumphs for Sabalenka after she beat Jessica Pegula to win the 2024 US Open.
The Belarusian has certainly proved her credentials as a serious threat at grand slams in recent years.
In fact, she has made it to at least the quarter-final stage a staggering ten times from her last 12 grand slam appearances.
Given her form at Melbourne in recent years, it would be foolish to expect anything other than another deep run at next year’s Australian Open.
