Aryna Sabalenka has once again ignited social media and divided public opinion by ridiculing young Serbian prospect Teodora Kostovic for the second time in less than a week, following a rather uneventful match at Wimbledon. Fans did not hold back: they quickly labeled the Belarusian as the “worst number one ever,” accusing her of unsportsmanlike conduct and of unfairly attacking a much younger opponent.
The controversy began before the first-round match when Kostovic, just 19 years old, claimed that Sabalenka would struggle to handle her power on court. The world number one’s response was ruthless: she won 6-2, 6-3 and, at the end, did not miss the opportunity to mock her opponent’s confidence. Instead of putting the matter to rest, Sabalenka returned to the topic after defeating McCartney Kessler 6-1, 7-6 in the second round, reigniting the controversy with new unflattering remarks.
During the post-match press conference, Sabalenka was confronted by journalists with comments made by Kostovic and shot back without hesitation: “Looking at that and then going into the match and seeing the reality, I think it was just another attempt by her to deceive herself, to try to build up a self-confidence that, in reality, didn’t exist,” said the player, in a tone more severe than before. “Sometimes it works. It all depends on the personality. Sometimes you need to pretend until you make it. Other times, you need to stay grounded and work with what you have.”
The Belarusian, who had already mocked Kostovic's comments after their first match — “I think she said she wanted to see if I could handle her power (laughs)… so scary. It's good that she has that self-confidence” — seems determined not to let the issue die. This stance was immediately criticized on social media, where fans and sports commentators accused Sabalenka of gratuitous harassment of a young player.
One fan, who knows Kostovic personally from the time the Serbian played in Portugal, did not hide his outrage: “This is too much. Her statements were five days ago, for God's sake. It's time to move on.” Another user was even more direct, arguing that Sabalenka, as the world number 1, should set an example and support young players: “She should empower the players and give them confidence, instead of mocking them and calling them fake. What a shame. Worst number 1 ever.”
The criticism did not stop there. One fan described the tennis player's words as “absolutely disappointing for someone who should be a professional idol,” while another called for common sense: “Oh Aryna, give us a break. You won, you're number 1 in the world. Relax… She’s 18 years old, leave the girl alone, it's not that serious.”
The case has gained relevance because it is not just a one-off misunderstanding. Sabalenka's attitude raises questions about the role of leaders in women's tennis and the increased responsibility of those at the top of the rankings. At Wimbledon, where respect among opponents is a tradition, this type of behavior does not go unnoticed and can even influence the public image of the Belarusian, at a time when women's tennis is fighting for greater visibility and positive examples.
So far, Teodora Kostovic has not publicly reacted to the constant attacks from her rival. If she does, it could reignite the debate about ethics and respect in high-level sports. For now, Sabalenka continues in the tournament, but under the watchful — and increasingly critical — eyes of fans, who demand more fair play and humility from those representing the pinnacle of world tennis. The impact of these statements may be felt not only in her relationship with opponents but also in public support, which at Wimbledon does not usually forgive arrogant attitudes. The upcoming rounds will reveal whether Sabalenka will be able to focus solely on her tennis or, on the contrary, continue to fuel controversies off the court.
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