On a vibrant Monday, June 30, 2025, Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s No. 1 women’s tennis player, launched her Wimbledon campaign with a commanding 6-1, 7-5 victory over Canadian Carson Branstine on Court No. 1. The Belarusian’s blistering forehands and relentless aggression secured her place in the second round, but it was a lighthearted exchange with a young fan during an autograph session that captured the headlines. The child, seemingly inspired by a viral video of Sabalenka’s colorful language during a practice session in Rome, prompted a playful reprimand from the three-time Grand Slam champion, showcasing her charisma and connection with fans at the All England Club.
Sabalenka’s match against Branstine, ranked No. 190, was a tale of two sets. The first was a masterclass, with Sabalenka racing to a 6-1 lead in just 24 minutes, her powerful groundstrokes overwhelming the Canadian model-turned-tennis-pro. The second set, however, tested her resolve as Branstine, buoyed by the Centre Court atmosphere, clawed back to win five games, forcing Sabalenka to dig deep. “Well, I think the goal is to win as quickly, as easier as possible, so physically you’re more fresh in the next rounds,” Sabalenka said post-match, reflecting on her strategy to conserve energy for the grueling two-week tournament. “I think at the end it was good to have this little fight in the second set.” Her 25 winners and ability to close out the match under pressure reaffirmed why she’s a leading contender for the Venus Rosewater Dish, alongside Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff.
The real buzz came after the match, as Sabalenka stopped to sign autographs for eager fans. Among them was a young supporter, believed to be a fan of Brazilian player Joao Fonseca, who played on Court No. 1 later that day. The child cheekily referenced a viral moment from May 2025, when Sabalenka’s frustration boiled over during a quarterfinal loss to Qinwen Zheng at the Italian Open. A fan had shouted, “Come on, Aryna, play tennis!” prompting Sabalenka to retort, “Shut the f*** up,” earning her a code violation. The incident, captured on video, exploded across Brazilian social media, turning Sabalenka into an unintentional internet sensation. “Yeah, he was talking Brazilian Portuguese, a little cursing stuff because of the video of me cursing in the practice went viral in Brazil,” Sabalenka explained with a chuckle during her press conference. “I replied, ‘You shouldn’t be saying that’. Yeah, it was a fun moment.”
The exchange, marked by Sabalenka’s infectious smile, highlighted her evolving relationship with fans. Known as “The Tiger” for her fierce on-court demeanor and forearm tattoo, the 27-year-old has worked to reveal her softer side off the court. “I feel that I have goosebumps,” she recently said about seeing young fans emulate her, down to temporary tiger tattoos. Her candid admission about the Rome incident—“We all are human beings and not robots, so at that moment, I wasn’t feeling like my best and was overreacting”—shows a player unafraid to own her mistakes while embracing her humanity. The Wimbledon moment, far from the heated Rome clash, was a testament to her ability to connect with fans, even in playful admonishment.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After clinching her third Madrid Open title and reaching the French Open final, where she fell to Coco Gauff, she arrived at Wimbledon as the betting favorite. Her 20 WTA singles titles, including the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens and 2024 US Open, underscore her dominance, particularly on hard courts. Yet, grass remains a frontier, with her best Wimbledon result being a 2021 semifinal. “I’m not ready to play 5 sets,” she quipped, dismissing the idea of best-of-five matches for women due to injury risks. As she prepares to face Marie Bouzkova in the second round on July 2, with a potential clash against Emma Raducanu or Marketa Vondrousova looming, Sabalenka’s focus is clear: channel her fiery energy into a maiden Wimbledon title.
The young fan’s cheeky remark, likely inspired by her Rome outburst, only added to Sabalenka’s charm. Her ability to laugh off the moment while gently correcting the child endeared her to the Wimbledon crowd, proving that even in the high-stakes world of professional tennis, there’s room for humor and heart. As she navigates the grass courts, Sabalenka’s blend of power, passion, and personality makes her a force to watch, both on and off the court.
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