Sabalenka Secures Australian Open Final Amid Off-Court Drama

On a dramatic evening at Melbourne Park, Aryna Sabalenka once again proved why she’s the world’s number one, booking her spot in a fourth consecutive Australian Open final. But this semi-final clash against Elina Svitolina on January 29, 2026, was about more than just tennis—it brought rules, politics, and personal pride to center stage.

The match itself was a showcase of Sabalenka’s relentless power and composure, but early in the contest, an unusual incident threatened to overshadow the action. In the fourth game of the first set, with Sabalenka leading 2-1 and pressing for a break, umpire Louise Azemar Engzell penalized her for hindrance. The reason? Sabalenka had made a sound that, according to Engzell, was not her usual vocalization during play.

“On the video, you go, ‘ah ah-ya!’” umpire Engzell explained, standing firm on her decision after Sabalenka immediately challenged the call and requested a video review. Sabalenka, visibly frustrated, countered, “How many players do it different?” But the umpire was unmoved, responding, “It’s hindrance, it’s a hindrance to me because you didn’t make the normal sound.” According to Rule 26 of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Rules of Tennis, if a player is hindered by the deliberate act of an opponent, the point goes to the hindered player. In this case, Engzell determined Sabalenka’s change of noise was deliberate, costing the world No. 1 the first point of her second opportunity to break Svitolina.

Despite the contentious call, Sabalenka did what champions do—she shook off the frustration and let her tennis do the talking. She went on to break Svitolina in that very game, eventually taking the first set 6-2. The top seed’s ability to compartmentalize the incident and channel her energy into her game was a testament to her mental strength, especially on such a high-stakes stage.

Svitolina, for her part, came out swinging in the second set, breaking Sabalenka in the opening game and consolidating for a 2-0 lead. But Sabalenka, unfazed, stormed back to win five consecutive games, breaking Svitolina twice in the process. The Ukrainian managed to hold serve in the eighth game, but it was only a brief reprieve. Sabalenka served out the match, sealing a 6-2, 6-3 victory and her ticket to Saturday’s final.

With this win, Sabalenka has now reached her fourth straight Australian Open final—an extraordinary feat in the modern era. She’s won her first two finals in Melbourne, defeating Elena Rybakina in 2023 and Zheng Qinwen in 2024, but fell short against Madison Keys last year. Remarkably, since that defeat, she hasn’t dropped a single set at the Australian Open, underscoring her current dominance on hard courts.

But while Sabalenka’s tennis continues to make headlines, her status as a “neutral athlete” is a story in itself. Due to international sanctions linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, players from Belarus and Russia have been competing without national identification since 2022. Major tennis bodies like the ITF, WTA, and ATP suspended national teams from these countries in team events. As a result, Sabalenka’s name appears without the Belarusian flag on scoreboards, broadcast graphics, and official draws—a blank space or neutral symbol marks her place in the tournament.

WTA CEO Steve Simon explained the rationale back in 2022: “Players are not being punished for their nationality. We support them as individuals. But, we cannot allow national symbols to be used in a way that might imply endorsement of government actions.” This neutrality policy means Belarus’s national anthem was not played for Sabalenka’s Australian Open triumphs in 2023 and 2024, and it won’t be played if she lifts the trophy again this year. Her country’s name is absent from the trophy, underscoring the ongoing intersection of sport and geopolitics.

Sabalenka herself has spoken candidly about the situation. “I was always proud to represent Belarus in terms of it’s a small country and I made it from a very small country. It’s not like I was practising in the States or in Spain,” she said, reflecting on her journey. She continued, “I felt like I was kind of an inspiration for the next generation. I was kind of motivating people from there, like tennis athletes.” While she remains proud of her roots, Sabalenka accepts the current rules, adding, “If they’re going to bring it [Belarus flag] back, I’m going to be happy. If not, it’s OK.” Her perspective is clear: sport should remain separate from political conflict, even as global events reshape the landscape of international competition.

The policy extends to the fans as well. As Tennis Australia stated in 2024, “The AO has a long tradition of fans supporting players by flying their national flags; it brings colour and excitement to the event. The Russian and Belarusian flags are banned, as per 2023 and the international agreement signed by the Federal Sports Minister and representatives of more than 30 countries around the world.” The ban on flags and anthems is a visible reminder of the broader issues at play, but it hasn’t dampened the support Sabalenka receives from the crowd, who appreciate her fighting spirit and dazzling shot-making.

Looking ahead, Sabalenka’s quest for a third Australian Open title continues. She will face Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the final on January 31, 2026, with the match scheduled to begin at 2 PM India time. Rybakina, herself a former champion and a formidable opponent, promises to provide a stern test. The two have met before in high-stakes matches, including the 2023 Australian Open final, where Sabalenka prevailed in a thrilling three-set battle. Tennis fans around the world will be tuning in, eager to see if Sabalenka can maintain her unbeaten set streak and reclaim the crown, or if Rybakina will turn the tables this time around.

Sabalenka’s journey to the final has been marked by resilience, both on and off the court. From navigating controversial calls to competing without her national identity, she’s shown a remarkable ability to focus on what she can control—her game. As the world watches, Sabalenka stands on the brink of history, ready to write the next chapter in her remarkable career, flag or no flag.

With the final looming, all eyes are on Melbourne as Sabalenka prepares for another shot at glory. The tennis world waits with bated breath to see if the world No. 1 can deliver yet another masterclass and add to her growing legacy.