Tennis queen Sabalenka’s shocking collapse: profane outburst and stunning loss to Zheng Qinwen at the 2025 Rome Open
In a stunning moment at the 2025 Rome Open, Aryna Sabalenka, the fiery Belarusian nicknamed the “Queen of Tennis,” shocked the tennis world with a meltdown that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The world number two, known for her explosive power and relentless competitive spirit, suffered a humiliating 6-3, 6-2 defeat to rising Chinese star Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals. But it wasn’t just her on-court collapse that made headlines; it was her unprecedented outburst, a blasphemous eight-word tirade directed at a group of fans, that revealed a hidden side of the star and left the tennis community in shock.
The Foro Italico, bathed in the golden light of a Roman afternoon on May 14, 2025, was the scene of Sabalenka’s defeat. Sabalenka, a heavy favorite after defending her Australian Open title in January, was expected to dominate the 22-year-old Zheng, ranked seventh in the world. However, Zheng, coming off a stellar clay-court season with titles in Madrid and Palermo, displayed precision and composure that Sabalenka could not match. From the outset, Sabalenka’s game was unbalanced: her signature forehand lacked precision, and unforced errors were piling up. Zheng capitalized on the opportunity, breaking Sabalenka’s serve three times in the first set and dominating rallies with her deft footwork.
As the second set progressed, tensions mounted in the stands. A small group of spectators, apparently chanting during Sabalenka’s serve, provoked her ire. In a moment of shock, Sabalenka stopped play, turned to the stands and launched into a violent eight-word tirade, which was picked up by microphones: “Shut the [censored] up, you bunch of [censored] idiots!” The crowd gasped and social media went wild, with footage of the incident spreading like wildfire across X. Fans called the outburst “classless” and “unacceptable,” while others questioned whether the boos justified her reaction.
The incident appeared to break Sabalenka’s concentration. Unfazed, Zheng took advantage of her opponent’s distraction to finish the match with a dazzling ace. The 6-3, 6-2 scoreline marked Sabalenka’s worst loss on clay since 2022 and gave Zheng her first career win over the Belarusian. After the match, Zheng was courteous: “I focused on my game. The crowd didn’t affect me.” Meanwhile, Sabalenka stormed off the court, skipping the traditional handshake and drawing boos from the Rome crowd.
The fallout was swift and brutal. On X, posts condemned Sabalenka’s behavior, with one comment going viral: “Queen of tennis? More like a tennis tyrant.” Fans, who had previously admired her unbridled passion, now questioned her sportsmanship. The incident also reignited debate about Sabalenka’s temperament, a recurring criticism despite her 2024 US Open title and three Grand Slam wins. Her team issued a brief apology, citing “strong emotion” and “provocation,” but the damage had been done. Several sponsors, including Nike, have expressed concern, citing potential contract revisions.
It wasn’t the first time Sabalenka’s fiery personality had generated controversy, but her failure in Rome marked a turning point. Her 2025 season, though solid, showed flaws: early exits in Dubai and Miami hinted at weaknesses, and her clay-court preparation was hampered by a minor shoulder injury. Against an in-form Zheng, now confirmed as a major threat, Sabalenka’s weaknesses were exposed. Tennis analysts at X have speculated that the pressure of defending her world number two spot, combined with the dominance of Iga Swiatek, could weigh on her.
For Sabalenka, the road to redemption will be fraught with obstacles. As Roland-Garros approaches, she must accept the challenge of reclaiming her image and getting back in shape. Zheng, for her part, is savoring her victory, and her fans are considering her a future Grand Slam champion. The 2025 Rome Open will be remembered not for Sabalenka’s tennis, but for the moment she let her emotions get the better of her. As the tennis world watches, one question remains: will the Queen of Tennis overcome this scandal, or will her dark side have cost her the crown?
