"Not respectful to Madison Keys";"PLEASE allow a player to be upset they lost" - Fans debate Aryna Sabalenka's 'tantrum' after Australian Open loss

Aryna Sabalenka couldn't contain her frustration after her heartbreaking loss to Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open final. However, the Belarusian's emotional outburst, which included smashing her racket, has sparked a debate about the appropriateness of her conduct.

Sabalenka's bid to join the elite ranks of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, and Martina Hingis by winning her third consecutive Australian Open title was thwarted by the American in a fiercely contested final. Although the Belarusian mounted an impressive comeback after losing the opening set, Keys edged ahead in the deciding set to claim a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory.

Aryna Sabalenka was visibly crushed after her narrow loss. Although the World No. 1 shared a warm embrace with Madison Keys at the net, she furiously smashed her racket after returning to her bench. Sabalenka also couldn't hold back her tears, hiding her face under a towel as she released her emotions.

Several fans lashed out at Aryna Sabalenka for her apparent disrespect toward Keys, labeling the three-time Grand Slam champion a "bad loser" over her "awful tantrum."

"Not very respectful to Keys..am sure she's devastated but I think she should have shown a bit more respect!" one fan posted.

"AO 2025 Finalist..... WOW 🤦🏻‍♀️ Really awful behaviour, toddler having a tantrum after not getting her own way...," another fan chimed in.

"Really? Smashed racquet and tears like a 5 year old. Gracious in defeat definitely doesn't come to mind looking at this behavior," a fan remarked.

"What? Terrible sportsmanship. Bad loser. Disgraceful!!!!!" said another.

However, others rallied behind the World No. 1 and urged critics to show some empathy for the World No. 1. They argued that players shouldn't be vilified for displaying their frustration after losing a Grand Slam final.

"For the love of god, can we PLEASE allow a player to be really pissed off and upset that they lost a big match!" one fan commented.

"Look at the comments. It’s always women that get told to act professional when they’re emotional. The men do this and will continue to do this whilst being called funny, entertaining and legends," another fan wrote.

"It would be nice if people had a little more empathy for players in these moments. These players work their entire lives for opportunities like this. I'm not saying you have to like the behavior but at least try to understand it," said another.

Some fans also pointed out a perceived double standard, suggesting that players like Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek would've received much harsher criticism if they had exhibited the same behavior as Aryna Sabalenka.

"Imagine the reaction if Djokovic reacted like that," one fan wrote.

"Are they going to drag her the same way they drag Iga?" another fan chimed in.

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"I just needed to throw those negative emotions" - Aryna Sabalenka on her outburst after Australian Open loss to Madison Keys

Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys after the 2025 Australian Open final - Source: Getty

Speaking in her post-match press conference, Aryna Sabalenka candidly revealed the reason behind her frustrated outburst after her devastating loss to Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open final.

The World No. 1 confessed that her racket smash allowed her to expel her negative emotions and emphasized that it was important to let out her anger to ensure that she wasn't disrespectful toward Keys during the trophy presentation.

"I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end just so I could give a speech, not stand there being disrespectful. I was just trying to let it go and be a good person, be respectful," Aryna Sabalenka said.

Aryna Sabalenka indeed shared a gracious message for Madison Keys in her runner-up speech, congratulating the American on her "well-deserved" victory and praising her "unbelievable" performance.