Aryna Sabalenka Melts Down After American Star Refuses to Apologize for Lucky PointAryna Sabalenka in anger (Photo Via X/@TimTyrrellNY)
Some moments on the court just hit differently; for Aryna Sabalenka, this one clearly did.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka wasn’t just battling Amanda Anisimova during their Wimbledon semifinal. She was also fighting tennis etiquette, or at least what she thought it should be.

The 27-year-old Belarusian lost her cool after the 23-year-old American snagged a lucky net cord winner and didn’t say the magic word: “sorry.” Anisimova, fully focused, had no time for unspoken traditions. Sabalenka, on the other hand, erupted in anger.

Aryna Sabalenka Loses Her Cool Over Net Cord Drama

Amanda Anisimova (Photo By Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

It happened in the third set. Anisimova led 4-2 and held a 40-30 advantage in the seventh game. She clipped the top of the net with a forehand, and the ball dribbled over, landing just inside the line. Sabalenka dived, but there was no getting to it.

That’s when things got awkward. Instead of giving the traditional hand-up gesture or a quick nod of apology, Anisimova didn’t give a head. She looked ahead and went back to the baseline. Sabalenka, fuming, snapped at her. Viewers could see the frustration bubbling over as she barked toward her opponent.

Tennis fans know the net cord apology isn’t in the rulebook. It’s just one of those unwritten things players do, more out of habit than genuine remorse. But for Sabalenka, the lack of acknowledgment felt personal. And her visible anger turned into a full-on meltdown on Centre Court.

Despite taking the second set, Sabalenka couldn’t recover. Anisimova stayed composed, ignored the drama, and closed the match to book her spot in the Wimbledon final.

The moment lit up tennis circles. Some saw Sabalenka’s reaction as childish, while others defended it as part of the sport’s tradition. But Amanda Anisimova didn’t back down. She clarified that she’s not here to follow old-school etiquette to spare someone’s feelings. She came to compete. And she won.

 

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup.

Joining Lorraine Kelly on Monday’s episode of the ITV show, the TV presenter, 43, also gave an health update after having two tumours removed from jaw.

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood, in December after 10 years of marriage.

She has since made swipes at Jesse and moved on with TV director Elliot Hegarty, with the pair having been seen kissing during a recent night out.

Fearne has had a difficult few months after undergoing surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jawline, just days before her split with Jesse emerged.

She told host Lorraine: ‘It’s all very amicable and kids are doing great. I am in a very good place.’place.’

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup
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Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood , in December after 10 years of marriage (both pictured in February 2024)
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Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood , in December after 10 years of marriage (both pictured in February 2024)

Discussing her recent surgery, she added: ‘I feel very grateful to have completely recovered.

‘I feel really good. I have a lot of people reaching out who have had the same thing.’

Davina McCall, 56, announced in November she’d been diagnosed with a colloid cyst, a rare type of benign brain tumour, and has supported Fearne.

She continued: ‘Everyone needs a Davina. She’s been amazing, weird that we had the same health thing going on at the same time. She’s so calming and we speak every day. She is just the best

It comes after Fearne has seemingly made another thinly-veiled dig at her ex-husband as she gushed that she is the happiest she’s ever been in a positive update.

Speaking to Scott Mills on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Fearne gushed that she is ‘really happy’ and is ‘springing out of bed in the morning ready for life’.

Scott, who has known Fearne for 25 years, said he has never seen her ‘more positive or happier’, prompting Fearne to agree and reply: ‘Yeah I feel great!’