The Berlin Open, a key Wimbledon warm-up on the lush grass courts of the Steffi Graf Stadion, turned into a cauldron of tension on June 18, 2025, as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka found herself at the center of a heated dispute. Her second-round clash against Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova was abruptly suspended due to slippery court conditions and fading light, leaving Sabalenka fuming and accusing her opponent of gamesmanship. Leading 6-2 after a dominant first set, the Belarusian star was visibly incredulous, arguing, “You’re stopping the match because she said that side is slippery? I just played two games on that side.” The incident, which sparked a firestorm of debate among fans and analysts, underscored Sabalenka’s fiery competitive spirit and raised questions about fairness in tennis officiating.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion with titles at the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens and the 2024 US Open, arrived in Berlin on the heels of a heartbreaking French Open final loss to Coco Gauff. Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game, which yielded 156 aces and a 67.4% first-serve win rate across 47 matches in 2025, made her the favorite to dominate the WTA 500 event. Against Masarova, ranked No. 112, Sabalenka was in full control, saving all six break points in the first set and converting her fifth set point when a Masarova forehand sailed wide. But as the evening dew settled and Masarova raised concerns about the court’s slickness, the umpire’s decision to halt play ignited a confrontation. Sabalenka, believing Masarova’s complaint was a tactic to disrupt her momentum, told the supervisor, “She’s just losing the match,” her frustration palpable as she shook her head and offered a sarcastic thumbs-up to her opponent.
The suspension, announced as a combination of poor light and damp grass, forced the match to resume on Thursday, June 19, disrupting the tournament schedule. The decision was particularly galling given the preceding marathon match between Liudmila Samsonova and Jessica Pegula, which lasted three hours and 21 minutes, delaying Sabalenka’s start. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, analyzing the incident, backed Sabalenka’s stance, suggesting Masarova sought an “exit door” to escape a lopsided defeat. “There’s no chance she walks off if she’s winning,” Roddick said, noting that the conditions, while slightly slippery, weren’t severe enough to warrant stopping play an hour before Berlin’s 9:30 p.m. sunset. However, fans on social media pointed out Sabalenka’s own history of requesting stoppages, citing a Madrid Open match against Marta Kostyuk where she paused play due to rain mid-point, prompting accusations of hypocrisy.
Sabalenka’s emotional intensity has long been a hallmark of her game, often fueling her dominance but occasionally sparking controversy. Her recent apology to Gauff for “unprofessional” comments after the French Open—where she claimed Gauff won due to her 70 unforced errors rather than superior play—showed her willingness to reflect. “I let my emotions get the better of me,” she told Eurosport, revealing she had reached out to Gauff to express respect. In Berlin, her agitation was understandable: with a 35-6 record in 2025 and three titles, including Madrid and Miami, Sabalenka is chasing her first grass-court WTA title. The suspension threatened her rhythm as she eyes a deep run to bolster her Wimbledon credentials, where she’s a favorite despite never reaching the final.
The incident also highlighted the challenges of grass-court tennis, where evening dew can render surfaces treacherous. Tournament officials defended the call, prioritizing player safety, but the decision left Wednesday ticket holders unable to attend the match’s conclusion, adding to the controversy. As Sabalenka prepares to resume against Masarova, likely facing Elena Rybakina or Katerina Siniakova in the quarterfinals, her resilience will be tested. “No suspension in the world is gonna save Masarova from the beating she will be getting tomorrow,” one fan posted on X, reflecting the confidence in Sabalenka’s ability to close out the match. Yet, the episode underscores the fine line between competitive fire and sportsmanship, with Sabalenka’s candid outburst cementing her as one of tennis’s most compelling figures.
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