Former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee ripped into ESPN following the US Open women’s final as he wasn’t thrilled about the sports channel showing the footage of Aryna Sabalenka smashing her racket after losing to Coco Gauff in last year’s final.
On Saturday, the No. 2 seed showed nerves throughout the final but managed to step up when it mattered the most and beat sixth-seeded American Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 for her first title at Flushing Meadows and overall third Grand Slam trophy.
But just 12 months earlier, the Belarusian held back tears after Gauff recovered from a set down to earn a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win in their final in New York. After leaving the court, the cameras caught Sabalenka picking up a racket from her bag and taking her frustration on it.
This year, the 26-year-old went a step further and made it all the way at the US Open. And after her big day, someone at ESPN decided to remind fans how it all looked a year earlier.
“Not impressed by ESPN showing Sabalenka smashing her racquet in the gym after last year’s loss in the final… unnecessary, insensitive and as for timing? … yikes,” former doubles world No. 1 McNamee wrote on X.
Not impressed by ESPN showing Sabalenka smashing…
