WHAT A RACKET
Behind-the-scenes US Open footage shows furious Aryna Sabalenka repeatedly smashing racket after crushing final loss
THIS is the shocking behind-the-scenes footage of Aryna Sabalenka repeatedly smashing her racket after her crushing defeat to Coco Gauff.
The Belarusian, 25, won the first set 6-2 at Flushing Meadows but the 19-year-old bounced back in the next two sets to win the US Open.
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That was also Gauff’s first Grand Slam title and she broke down in tears of joy afterwards.
The angry Sabalenka was also in tears on the court after letting victory slip through her grasp.
And her emotions continued to take over after she made her way back into the locker room.
Sabalenka was caught on camera pulling out her racket from its bag before angrily slamming it against the floor several times.
And due to the intense rage she was smashing it with, the racket was soon bent out of shape.
The Australian Open winner then dumped the ruined racket into a bin.
Sabalenka, who leaked unforced errors as Gauff seemingly began to cover every inch of the court, jokingly claimed after the loss that she was set to axe her coaching team.
She said: “They know they will be fired after this tournament.
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“No, as always we will come back stronger, right? Thank you for everything you do for me - I really appreciate it and I love you guys.”
She also added: “Most of my time I handled my emotions pretty well, congrats to Coco, you played unbelievable in the final.”
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