Sabalenka's Hindrance Call Sparks Fury in Australian Open Semifinal
A controversial hindrance call disrupted the Australian Open 2026 women's semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina. Chair umpire Louise Engzell awarded a point to Svitolina after ruling Sabalenka's mid-rally shout a distraction. The incident sparked debate and frustration from the Belarusian player.
The call came during a tense exchange when Sabalenka let out an extra shout while the ball was still in play. Engzell immediately halted the point and granted it to Svitolina, citing a clear hindrance. Sabalenka challenged the decision with a video review, but officials upheld the original ruling.
After the match, Sabalenka voiced her dissatisfaction in the press conference. She admitted, however, that the incident had an unexpected effect—it fuelled her aggression and sharpened her focus. Meanwhile, SRF analyst Marco Chiudinelli supported the umpire's judgement, explaining that the shout was distinct from Sabalenka's usual grunting and clearly interfered with play.
No details have emerged about potential replacements if Svitolina were to retire after the first set. The tournament's rules and coverage do not specify a substitute player for such a scenario.
The hindrance call added another layer of drama to an already high-stakes match. Sabalenka's reaction and the umpire's firm stance highlighted the strict enforcement of rules in professional tennis. The outcome of the semifinal now rests on how both players recover from the incident.
