"Aryna Sabalenka is DISGUSTING";"Making drama out of nothing" - Fans divided over Belarusian's controversial incident with ball girl at Wuhan Open

Aryna Sabalenka's controversial incident with a ball girl during her semifinal match against Coco Gauff at the 2024 Wuhan Open has sparked polarizing reactions from tennis fans. While many believed that the Belarusian was in the wrong, others felt that people were trying to make 'drama' out of a harmless incident.

Sabalenka has been in phenomenal form at the Wuhan Open and took out the recently crowned China Open champion and fourth seed Gauff from a set down to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. However, there was a controversial moment during the high-octane battle between the two women.

During the deciding set, Sabalenka asked the ball girl to give her balls for her service. However, it seemed as though the kid wasn't able to understand the instructions which irked the World No. 2 a bit. After receiving the balls, she also threw one of the balls in a way by which she was seemingly expressing her disappointment at the incident.

A fan was appalled by Aryna Sabalenka's behavior and posted a clip of the incident on X (formerly Twitter).

Many fans agreed with them. One fan called Sabalenka's behavior 'disgusting' and 'atrocious'.

"#Sabalenka is DISGUSTING and should be fined for her atrocious behaviour towards innocent children. Please act accordingly: @WTA @wuhanopentennis @BillieJeanKing @wada_ama @KamalaHarris," the fan said.

However, another fan felt that the incident wasn't controversial at all and also pointed that the fans didn't mind the Belarusian's behavior.

"This is honestly making drama out of nothing… and the crowd was quiet asl," the fan said.

Here are some fans lashing out at Aryna Sabalenka. One of them mentioned how the Belarusian was friends with Yulia Putintseva, who was involved in a huge controversy for her behavior toward a ball kid during the 2024 US Open.

"Very ugly behavior. They are friends with Putintseva, so it shouldn't be surprising. Aryna is like that, she tries to be nice but her true nature comes out under stress," a fan opined.

"The way some of these players think they can treat ball kids and umpires any way they want is actually just shameless honestly, not a good look at all," a fan mentioned.

Here are some fans defending the 26-year-old.

"Those kids are not properly trained. There’s been complaints from multiple players. SHE WON! she’s human," a fan commented.

"Aryna had a joke with her straight after the incident, RELAX!" a fan mentioned.

Aryna Sabalenka will face Zheng Qinwen in the final of Wuhan Open 2024, looks to make a hattrick of titles

Aryna Sabalenka (Source: Getty)

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on fifth seed and home favorite Zheng Qinwen in the final of the 2024 Wuhan Open. Qinwen took out her compatriot Xinyu Wang 6-3 6-4 in the semifinals.

This will be the fourth meeting between the two women with the Belarusian having won them all, however, this would be their first meeting outside a Grand Slam.

Aryna Sabalenka is looking to win her third consecutive title in Wuhan having won them in 2018 and 2019. The tournament is being held for the first after the COVID-19 pandemic.