Aryna Sabalenka gives X-rated verdict on umpire after controversial Australian Open semi-final moment

Aryna Sabalenka has admitted the umpire’s controversial hindrance call in her Australian Open semi-final helped her win the match.

The world no.1 was penalised in the fourth game of her clash with Elina Svitolina on Thursday in Melbourne.

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Umpire Louise Azemar Engzell awarded the point to Svitolina due to Sabalenka’s grunting during the rally.

The official deemed the noises to have interfered with the Ukrainian’s ability to make her return.

Engzell told Sabalenka she ‘did not make the normal sound’ as she explained her decision.

The top seed asked for a video review but the players could not hear the audio as the umpire watched back the incident before sticking with the original call.

Sabalenka was visibly annoyed on court both during and after the exchange.

She could be seen making a thumbs down gesture to Engzell before returning to the baseline.

The Belarusian went on to win the match in straight sets as she triumphed 6-2, 6-3.

What did Sabalenka say?

Following her victory, Sabalenka was asked about the call during her post-match press conference.

She explained: “That’s actually never happened to me. Especially with my grunting. It’s so off I think.

“The way that I exhale, I don’t know how to explain. The ball was deep, the bounce was wrong and it was just the timing, I was exhaling. It happened naturally and then she called it.

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“I was like ‘What? What is wrong with you?’ I think it was the wrong call, but she really pissed me off.

“It actually helped me and benefited my game. I was more aggressive, I was not happy with the call and it really helped me to get that game.

“So if she ever wants to do it again, I want to make sure she’s not afraid of it. Go ahead, call it, it’s going to help me.”

Sabalenka will now face Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

The pair have met 14 times before, with Sabalenka winning eight of those matches, including the 2023 final in Melbourne.

However, her Kazakh opponent came out on top in their last meeting to win the WTA Finals in November.

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Friday’s showpiece contest will be Sabalenka’s fourth consecutive appearance in the Australian Open final, having won the event in 2023 and 2024.

Meanwhile, she is eyeing a fifth Grand Slam title overall and a second in a row after winning the US Open four months ago.