"Unnecessary, insensitive" - Paul McNamee calls out ESPN's broadcast of Aryna Sabalenka’s outburst from 2023 after her US Open 2024 triumph

Former Australian tennis player Paul McNamee was not happy with ESPN showing Aryna Sabalenka's outburst after her defeat against Coco Gauff in the final of the US Open last year, right after the Belarusian clinched the title. The World No. 2 defeated home favorite Jessica Pegula in straight sets to win the third Grand Slam of her career.

Sabalenka had to suffer a heartbreaking 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat to home favorite and sixth seed Coco Guaff in the final at Flushing last year. Later, a clip of the Belarusian smashing her racket in the gym after the presentation circulated online.

Aryna Sabalenka destroys a racket after lost US Open final. byu/-Ketjow- intennis

The Belarusian got her revenge and finally clinched the US Open trophy. Coincidentally, she faced another sixth seed and home favorite, Jessica Pegula in the final but defeated the American 7-5, 7-5 in an hour and 53 minutes.

However, ESPN showed the above clip after Aryna Sabalenka won the US Open. Former Doubles No. 1 Paula McNamee didn't take too kindly to it and took to X (formerly Twitter) to call them out for showing the clip calling the action 'unnecessary' and 'insensitive' and also questioning the timing.

"Not impressed by ESPN showing Sabalenka smashing her racquet in the gym after last year’s loss in the final… unnecessary, insensitive and as for timing? … yikes," McNamee tweeted.

"Never give up on your dream and just keep trying, keep working hard" - A jubilant Aryna Sabalenka talks about the importance being persistent

Aryna Sabalenka (Image Source: Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka, during the trophy presentation, discussed how important it is to stay persistent in order to achieve your dream. She said that she was remembering all her previous losses and asked people to never give up on their dreams, even though it sounded easy.

"You know everything I'm thinking, I remember all those stuff, losses in the past here and, and you know, just, it's gonna sound easy but never give up on your dream and just keep, keep trying, keep working hard," Sabalenka said.

The Belarusian said that if one sacrificed their everything to achieve their dream, they would eventually succeed and admitted that she was really proud of herself.

"And, if you're really working hard and you're sacrificing everything for your dream, you're gonna get it one day. So I'm just, I'm just super proud of myself. I never say that. But really guys, I'm super proud of myself," she added.

Despite being unable to play Wimbledon, Aryna Sabalenka ended up winning two Grand Slams in 2024, taking her Majors tally to three. She successfully defended her Australian Open title earlier in the year.