
So there I was, scrolling through tennis Twitter at 11 PM last night (don't judge), when I stumbled across this absolutely wild story about Aryna Sabalenka getting cursed out by a child at Wimbledon.
I mean, what?
The Setup That Started This Whole Mess
Here's the thing about Sabalenka - she's been everywhere on social media lately because some practice session video went viral showing her dropping some choice words during training. Classic internet, right? One moment you're working on your backhand, the next you're a meme in Brazil.
Monday rolls around, and she absolutely demolishes Carson Branstine 6-1, 7-5 on Court 1. Standard stuff for the world No. 1. She's walking off court, probably feeling pretty good about life, when she decides to be nice and sign some autographs for the kids waiting around.

Plot Twist: The Kid Had Receipts
This is where it gets interesting. Some little Brazilian kid - and I'm talking LITTLE, like probably still loses teeth naturally - walks up to her and starts dropping Portuguese curse words like he's auditioning for a Tarantino film.
Sabalenka's face? Absolutely stunned. You know that look when someone says something so unexpected that your brain just... stops?
The kid was apparently a Joao Fonseca fan (the 18-year-old Brazilian who played after her), and he'd clearly seen that viral practice video. Kids these days, I swear. When I was his age, the worst thing I said to athletes was "you stink!" This kid's out here with a full Portuguese vocabulary that would make sailors blush.
Her Response Was Perfect Though
At her press conference later, Sabalenka was actually smiling about the whole thing. "Yeah, he was talking Brazilian-Portuguese, a little cursing stuff," she said, like she was describing someone asking for directions.

"I replied, 'You shouldn't be saying that.' Yeah, it was a fun moment."
A fun moment. God, I love her attitude about this.
Meanwhile, She's Still Not Ready for Five-Set Matches
Speaking of attitudes, reporters also asked her about women potentially playing best-of-five matches in the future. Her response was refreshingly honest and probably going to annoy some people.
"I think probably physically I'm one of the strongest ones, so maybe it would benefit me. But I think I'm not ready to play five sets. I think it's too much on the woman's body."
She continued: "I think we're not ready for this amount of tennis. I think it would increase amount of injuries. So I think this is not something I would consider. I'll let this thing for guys to handle."
Look, you can agree or disagree with her take, but at least she's being real about it instead of giving some diplomatic non-answer.
What Happens Next
Sabalenka moves on to face Marie Bouzkova in the next round. The cursing kid probably went home and told his friends he made the world No. 1 look shocked.
And somewhere in Brazil, that practice video is still making the rounds, creating more tiny tennis fans with vocabularies that would make their parents faint.
Tennis in 2025, everyone. Where viral videos create international incidents involving children and curse words at Wimbledon.
What a time to be alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role have tennis icons played in popularizing the sport?
Tennis icons have played an important role in popularizing tennis around the world. Throughout tennis' history, charismatic, skilled players have captured the attention of the public. These include Billie Jean King (and her husband Rod Laver), Bjorn Borg (and Martina Navratilova), Pete Sampras (and Serena Williams), and Roger Federer. Their performances on court and personalities outside of it have not just drawn fans to this game, but also inspired younger players to take up tennis. The legacy of these players goes beyond the titles they have won. It also includes shaping the culture and marketplace for tennis.
What role has women played in shaping tennis?
Tennis has been greatly influenced by women both on and off court, with their performances and advocacy for equal rights and recognition. Billie Jean King's campaign to equalize prize money and opportunities for women led to the formation of the Women's Tennis Association in 1973. Icons such as Steffi Graf, Venus and Serena Williams, and Martina Navratilova dramatically raised the sport's profile with their talent and competitive spirit. The sport is popular with both men and women.
Who is credited with standardizing the modern game of tennis?
Major Walter Clopton Wingfield is largely credited with standardizing the modern game of tennis. In 1873, Wingfield created a version of Sphairistike that was played at an hourglass shaped grass court. Wingfield's game had a simplified scoring method and equipment that was similar to today's. This version of the game laid the foundations for modern lawn tennis rules. By 1877 the first Wimbledon Championships was held, cementing its rules and structure.
How do the different playing surfaces affect tennis matches?
Different playing surfaces have a significant impact on the style and pace of tennis matches. Grass court games are usually faster, favoring players who have an attacking style and big servers. Clay courts slow down the ball and produce a higher bounce, benefiting baseline players with strong endurance and topspin shots. Hard courts provide a balanced playing field that is neither too fast nor too slow, rewarding well-rounded players. These surface variations require different approaches to match strategy and can influence match outcomes.
What are four Grand Slam tennis tournaments?
The four Grand Slams (also known as Majors) are the most prestigious professional tennis tournaments. These include the Australian Open (held in January), the French Open (held in May and June), Wimbledon (held in June and Jul), and the US Open (held in August and Septembre). These tournaments have a rich history and are known for the high level of competition. They also offer significant prize money, ranking points, and a great deal of prestige. Winning a Grand Slam is considered one of the greatest achievements in tennis.
Statistics
- The four Grand Slam tournaments collectively attract over 3.5 million spectators in person, highlighting tennis's enduring appeal.
- Major Walter Clopton Wingfield is often credited with pioneering the rules of modern tennis in 1873, and his version of the game was patented under the name "Sphairistikè."
- As of 2023, Wimbledon remains the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is considered by many to be the most prestigious.
- Graphite became a popular material for tennis racquets in the 1980s, with over 90% of professional players now using graphite or graphite composite racquets.
- Lawn tennis, which evolved into the game we know today, adapted its point system from the jeu de paume, with theories suggesting its increments represent the face of a clock.
External Links
How To
How to Develop a Grass Court Tennis Playing Strategy
A grass court requires a unique strategy because of its low-bouncing, fast surface. Use serve-andvolley tactics to score quick points. To keep your opponent on their toes, develop a powerful serve that focuses on accuracy and variety. Build points aggressively and always approach the net to put pressure on your opponent. Improve your footwork so you can gain better traction when playing on slippery surfaces. By adapting your play to grass courts you can maximize your success.