Judy Murray Defends Aryna Sabalenka's Private Moment of Frustration After U.S. Open Final Loss to Coco Gauff, Deeming Public Release of Footage Unwarranted

Judy Murray, renowned tennis coach and mother of British tennis sensation Andy Murray, has come to the defense of Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player, following a controversial video that surfaced after her U.S. Open final loss to Coco Gauff.

The footage, captured by Eurosport France, depicts Sabalenka walking through an apparently empty training room at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City after the trophy presentation. Frustrated by her loss in the Grand Slam final, Sabalenka takes out her anger on a racket from her bag, smashing it multiple times before placing her second-place trophy on top.

Judy Murray took to social media to express her support for Sabalenka, emphasizing that such a private moment should never have been made public. The video’s origin remains unknown, though some speculate it may have been intended for the Netflix series “Break Point,” which follows tennis stars on the tour.

In sports, athletes occasionally grapple with frustration when their performance falls below their usual standards, as was the case with Sabalenka. She committed 46 unforced errors during the final against Gauff, ultimately affecting the outcome of the match.

The incident highlights the emotional toll and pressure that elite athletes face, even in private moments. Murray’s defense of Sabalenka sheds light on the need for empathy and understanding in the world of professional sports, where athletes often undergo intense scrutiny and public critique.