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Aryna Sabalenka Had Petty Line for Amanda Anisimova After Her Ball Clipped the Net

Sabalenka was irked that Anisimova didn't apologize after her winner clipped the net.

Tim Capurso

Sabalenka was not pleased with Anisimova for her apparent lack of apology after the American's winner clipped the net during a key game in the third set.
Sabalenka was not pleased with Anisimova for her apparent lack of apology after the American's winner clipped the net during a key game in the third set. / Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

There was a bit of a tense moment during Aryna Sabalenka's stunning 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 semifinal loss to world No. 12 Amanda Anisimova on Thursday.

Sabalenka, after dropping the first set, stormed back to win the second, then found herself down 4-2 and 30-40 in a pivotal game with Anisimova on serve. The two traded several backhand blows from the baseline, then Anisimova, going for broke, struck a big forehand down the line. The ball clipped the net and landed short, catching Sabalenka off guard. The world No. 1 was unable to return the ball and Anisimova won the game to take a commanding 5-2 lead in the set, one she would not relinquish.

After winning the point, Anisimova raised her left arm in the air in celebration. Meanwhile, as the two players changed sides, the ESPN broadcast showed an irked Sabalenka asking Anisimova why she "didn't say sorry" after her winner clipped the net. Broadcasters Chris Fowler and Chris Evert even made note to point it out.

"Interesting exchange," Fowler said. "This is Sabalenka at the end of the last game. 'Why didn't you say sorry?' She appears to say to Anisimova, whose shot hit the tape and went over."

"I've never heard that anybody would question that. Not everyone says sorry," said Evert.

It's considered proper tennis etiquette to apologize if you benefit from a ball that hits the net, but Anisimova apparently didn't do so—and Sabalenka was not happy about it.

The Belarusian tennis star recovered quickly, as she went on to win two games to make it 4-5 in the set. But the steely-nerved Anisimova held on for the shocking upset, advancing her to the Wimbledon final on Saturday.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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