Sabalenka sorry for outburst in Svitolina defeat

LOS ANGELES, United States: Aryna Sabalenka apologized on Saturday after an on-court outburst during her defeat to Ukrainian rival Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells.

Footage shared widely on social media appeared to show the former world number one swearing in a tirade that some commenters interpreted as directed toward Svitolina or Ukrainians in general.

However, Sabalenka said Saturday that she lost her cool due to the behavior of spectators during Friday’s 3-6, 6-3, 1-6 defeat, which sent the four-time Grand Slam-winner crashing out.

“I want to clarify something from my recent match that has been circulating online,” Sabalenka wrote in a post on Instagram.