In the world of professional tennis, rivalries and drama often go hand in hand, and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has never shied away from fueling the fire—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. Known by some fans as the “queen of petty,” Sabalenka has developed a reputation for her bold personality and unapologetic demeanor both on and off the court. Her actions during this year’s Wimbledon women’s final only added to that narrative, sparking plenty of speculation about where her loyalties may have stood.
The final itself was a dominant display by Iga Swiatek, who dismantled Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, winning 6-0, 6-0, to capture her first Wimbledon title. Swiatek, currently the world No. 2, barely broke a sweat as she outplayed the young American throughout the match, leaving little doubt about who deserved to lift the trophy. But beyond the stunning performance on Centre Court, it was a subtle social media post from Sabalenka that caught the attention of tennis fans around the world.
On the day of the final, Sabalenka posted a seemingly innocent selfie to her Instagram Stories. In the photo, she wore a plain red shirt and white shorts. At first glance, it appeared to be just a casual outfit—but for many fans, the color choice was anything but random. Red and white are the national colors of Poland, Swiatek’s home country, and given the timing of the post, some interpreted Sabalenka’s outfit as a subtle nod to Swiatek.
To some observers, the post might have been a coincidence. After all, athletes often wear casual clothes without thinking much about symbolism. However, given the recent history between Sabalenka and Anisimova, others were quick to suggest it was a deliberate gesture. Anisimova had just upset Sabalenka in the semifinal, knocking the Belarusian star out of the tournament in what many viewed as a surprising result. That loss, paired with Sabalenka’s competitive nature, made some fans wonder if she was quietly rooting for Swiatek to finish the job in the final.
Sabalenka has had her fair share of memorable moments off the court that have fueled fan speculation about her motives. Whether it’s her candid interviews, fiery outbursts, or cryptic social media posts, she tends to keep tennis followers guessing about what’s on her mind. In this case, the simple red-and-white outfit was enough to ignite conversations across platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
Of course, it’s also possible that Sabalenka was simply supporting a fellow player who she respects, regardless of prior match outcomes. Swiatek and Sabalenka have faced each other numerous times on the WTA tour, building a competitive but seemingly respectful rivalry. Swiatek’s commanding win in the final was a milestone in her career, and perhaps Sabalenka just wanted to acknowledge that in her own way.
Whether the post was an intentional dig, a show of support, or just a coincidence, one thing is clear: Aryna Sabalenka knows how to keep the tennis world talking. Her Instagram story may have been brief, but it added an extra layer of intrigue to a Wimbledon final that was already historic for Iga Swiatek.
In tennis, the matches may end when the final point is won, but the off-court drama often lingers—and Sabalenka seems to be just fine with that.