Aryna Sabalenka has been advised to consider a new addition to her coaching group after a year that ended without a Grand Slam title.

The Belarusian spent 99 straight weeks as the women’s world No 1 before Elena Rybakina ended that run last week. Rybakina then added another blow by defeating the 27-year-old in three sets to capture this year’s US Open and halt Sabalenka’s attempt at a third straight crown.

The defeat was followed by a visibly frustrated reaction, with Sabalenka smashing her racket and telling a camera operator to “**** off” as she processed the loss. That response has intensified scrutiny over what comes next for the former top-ranked player.

The issue was addressed by former world No 1 women’s doubles player Rennae Stubbs and fellow pundit Andrea Petkovic, both of whom believe change may be needed in Sabalenka’s camp.

At present, Sabalenka works with coach Anton Dubrov, fitness coach Jason Stacy, hitting partner Andrei Vasilevski, and data scientist Shane Liyanage, among others. Dubrov has been with her for six years and has been part of a stretch that delivered four Grand Slam titles and 106 weeks at the top of the rankings. Even so, Stubbs feels the problem is less about technical support and more about the way Sabalenka handles the biggest stages.

She has won only one of her last five major finals, a record that has reinforced concerns about her response in pressure moments. Still, Stubbs, who coached Serena Williams, believes Sabalenka can rebound quickly and is backing her to win the Australian Open in January.

When asked if she thinks Sabalenka will win another Grand Slam and if she needs a coaching change, Stubbs said on her podcast, “I think she will probably win the Australian Open.

“I think if she sits down and looks at what she can get better at. She’s lost a lot of matches because of her mentality. Maybe she doesn’t need a coaching change because all those guys understand her. Or she does because somebody needs to stand up and say, ‘This is unacceptable behaviour’.

“She was slapping her hand at them and I said that is just her way she reacts to pressure but sometimes when you get another coach they will say that isn’t acceptable to me. ‘I won’t allow you to do that or I am out of here’. Anton is a great guy, a lovely guy. He’s done unbelievable.

“But I think if there’s something to be said, you have to say, ‘If you continue to act like this in the big matches, then I am not the person for you because you are not reacting to what I am telling you. Or you need a psychologist’.”

Petkovic agreed that fresh input could help, but she was clear that Dubrov should remain part of the team if possible.

She said, “I do think she should maybe add people but I don’t think she should get rid of Anton ever if she can help it.”

Sabalenka now faces the challenge of responding after losing both her US Open crown and the No 1 ranking.

Rennae Stubbs has criticised John McEnroe after his remarks at the end of the US Open drew another wave of attention.

The discussion followed Alexander Zverev’s 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 win over Ben Shelton on Sunday, a result that extended America’s wait for a new men’s singles champion. As ESPN closed its coverage of the season’s final major, Chris Fowler pointed out that Zverev had ended the tournament with his second Grand Slam title of 2026.

McEnroe then turned his attention to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz had been out for more than four months with a wrist injury, while Sinner missed the event because of a knee issue. McEnroe said, “ Get healthy, Carlos and Jannik”, and Fowler replied, “Please.” The exchange may have drawn a light reaction from McEnroe, but it prompted strong criticism elsewhere.

Some online called the remark churlish, while others said he should be dropped from the broadcaster. Stubbs, Serena Williams’ coach, later added her own view, saying the line should never have been aired. On The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, she said, “I don’t know if you heard John McEnroe’s last words on the ESPN coverage.

“He says, ‘Come back, Carlos and Jannik, please’. I was like, bro, that was a little inappropriate. That’s the **** you say in your head, not on a mic.”

McEnroe’s closing comment also brought renewed attention to criticism he received earlier in the event. After Mariano Navone upset Novak Djokovic in the first round, McEnroe focused on where the Argentine would be playing next rather than the scale of the victory.

“You’ll be playing your second round on Court 21. We wish you the best. And he is going to have to try and play with that effort and intensity but enjoy the moment, young man,” he said.

The problem was that there is no Court 21 at Flushing Meadows. Navone would later reach the third round for the first time before losing to compatriot Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka’s frustration in the US Open final has led to a fine, while organisers did not penalise Venus and Serena Williams for missing a post-match press conference.

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, struggled to contain her emotions throughout the match against Elena Rybakina and repeatedly showed her anger during and after the three-set defeat. Her most costly moment came after she was broken in the opening set following a double fault, when she hit a ball into the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd and received a code violation.

That breach has now brought a $7,500 fine from the United States Tennis Association. The penalty is modest compared with the $2,800,000 cheque she collected for finishing runner-up. Her reaction did not end there. She later struck another ball toward the back of the court and came close to hitting a cameraman.

After the match, and after the customary handshake with Rybakina, Sabalenka went back to her bench and smashed her racket several times. She also told a cameraman to “f*** off” while waiting for the post-match presentation ceremony to begin. Even so, the only sanction imposed on her was for the code violation.

The Williams sisters, meanwhile, avoided punishment after declining to speak to the media following their first-round doubles loss. Venus and Serena entered the event via wildcard, with Serena appearing at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022, but they were beaten in three sets by Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint.

Although press conferences are mandatory at majors, the pair were not fined. The USTA’s statement after the match simply read, “Serena and Venus Williams will not be available for press tonight.”

Elsewhere, Luisina Giovannini received the largest fine of the tournament, a $20,000 penalty after her opening qualifying match was judged below standards. Corentin Moutet was the only player to be fined twice.