Accusations against Sabalenka. The Kyiv tennis federation says she insulted Svitolina: "Damned Ukrainian, f..."

A new chapter in the long rivalry between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina, set within a context of tensions that, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have long gone beyond the boundaries of tennis. The Ukrainian tennis federation posted on its X account a video of a moment from the Indian Wells Finals match that Svitolina won (6-3 3-6 6-1), eliminating Sabalenka, ranked No. 2, from the tournament. The Belarusian, furious, unleashes a series of expletives. Reading her lips, those who know Russian claim this is the translation: "F***ing Ukrainian b***h, f*** off!", although at this time the reconstruction has not been confirmed by official bodies nor supported by independent verification. "Those f***ing Ukrainians, for f***'s sake!" Or was it "That f***ing Ukrainian b***h, for f***'s sake!"? These are the words ️ Aryna Sabalenka appears to be saying in Russian, judging by her lip movements during her WTA Finals match against Elina Svitolina. What a remarkable display of respect and sportsmanship from the world No. 2. But sure, let's keep asking Ukrainian players why they refuse to shake hands with their Russian and Belarusian opponents. Apparently, that's still the bigger problem in tennis.— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) November 14, 2026 Relations between Sabalenka and Svitolina have certainly long been characterized by coldness and friction, in a sporting environment deeply marked by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian players, including Svitolina, do not shake hands with their Russian and Belarusian opponents at the end of matches, in a climate of enormous tension. Moreover, before the Finals, Svitolina refused to pose in the traditional group photo with Sabalenka and the Russian Andreeva. The Ukrainian federation's X account comments on the video with a provocation: "Is the problem in tennis really still Ukrainian players not greeting the Russians and Belarusians?"