Aryna Sabalenka faces backlash for ‘arrogant handshake’ after losing to 20-year-old Sara Bejlek at Cincinnati Open; fans demand a ‘new No. 1’

Ahead of the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka’s Cincinnati Open campaign ended in devastating status as the World No. 1 suffered a straight-sets defeat to 20-year-old Czech star Sara Bejlek.

Sabalenka, even though she appeared to have the match under grip many times, had a series of dramatic collapses that turned it into the biggest upset so far.

But controversy erupted when she allegedly did a “cold handshake” after the match with Bejlek, triggering a massive backlash and the tag of a “sore loser”. Here’s how the drama unfolded.Match details

The Cincinnati Open took place on August 19-20, 2026 ended with a massive controversy. The WTA No. 1 started the match strongly and looked comfortable against Bejlek but the turning point came in the first-set tiebreak, when the Belarusian raced into a 5-1 lead. But Sabalenka could not keep control, as Bejlek made an epic comeback and took the opening set.

 

 

The second set followed almost the same script again Sabalenka built a 4-1 lead but did not close the match. The young Czech made another comeback and completed the set with a 6-4 victory. Sara Bejlek pulled a historic victory against the veteran Tennis player but even after that, it was Aryna who became the talking point. Let’s see why.

 

 

Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘arrogant’ handshake

The No. 1 tennis icon was seen smashing her racket after the first-set collapse. At another point, she appeared to snap at a ball kid over a tennis-ball toss.

 

But the drama intensified at the net when Sabalenka’s brief ‘cold’ handshake with Beljek triggered massive backlash across multiple social media platforms. Rather than a warm exchange following the Czech player’s biggest victory, the moment appeared cold and distant. Social media users quickly described it as an “icy” or “cold” handshake, questioning Sabalenka’s sportsmanship.

 

Sabalenka receives huge backlash

The social media users immediately started discussing the matter over the online discourse, with a few users claiming, “Very salty and cold handshake for the young Czech by the arrogant Sabalenka.” The user also added that the Tennis world “needs a new No. 1.”

 

Soon the post was flooded with comments agreeing, “Was totally uncalled for. Win with class, lose with class. Sara played the match of her life.”

 

Some addressed the behaviour as “disrespectful” saying she has only herself to blame as she produced a “weak performance”. Others gave her the tag of “arrogant” and “overrated.”

 

But her supporters defended her saying, “She said thanks, shook her hand and modded..what’s the problem?” Another stated, “People always have to complain about something” further commenting that the players do not always have a cordial attitude after losing.

 

Aryna Sabalenka’s 2026 season so far

The Cincinnati defeat adds to a difficult stretch for Sabalenka, as she also exited the Canadian Open in the round of 16 after losing to Ekaterina Alexandrova. With the US Open approaching, the back-to-back early exits have raised questions about whether Sabalenka can rediscover her best form in time to defend her Grand Slam crown.

Her position at the top of the rankings could also come under pressure, with Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina capable of overtaking her depending on her Cincinnati run.

Despite the recent setbacks, it would be unfair to define Sabalenka’s entire 2026 season by her latest losses. She produced one of the most impressive stretches of her career, winning both Indian Wells and Miami to complete the Sunshine Double. She also reached the Australian Open final, where she lost a thrilling three-set contest to Rybakina.

But as the US Open draws closer, her Cincinnati collapse highlights one issue she will want to fix quickly: maintaining her composure when a match starts slipping away. On the other hand, Sara Beljek has officially announced herself in the global Tennis stage after her comebacks. She will face Madison Keys in the QuarterFinals.