In the exciting atmosphere of the 2023 US Open women’s final, something unexpected happened that got tennis fans talking. Two young talents, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, were battling it out for a prestigious title. But right in the middle of the third set, something unusual occurred – a break in the action that wasn’t part of the plan. This wasn’t your typical pause; it was a decision that caused a lot of discussion on Twitter.
Its the intriguing saga of Sabalenka’s surprise timeout and the passionate reactions that followed, in a match where the drama extended far beyond the baseline.
Fan reactions over Sabalenka’s medican time out
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While Coco Gauff has an easy victory over Sabalenka in 3 sets, this medical time out issue raised concerns in the fans over its legitimacy.
“Sabalenka is getting treated for a broken forehand by the WTA Trainer.” a fan shared.
Sabalenka is getting treated for a broken forehand by the WTA Trainer
— Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) September 9, 2023
“Sabalenka takes a medical timeout before Gauff’s service game that looked more like a massage and deep-breath time out to me. We’ll see if the tactics impact the momentum.” another fan quipped.
Sabalenka takes a medical time out before Gauff's service game that looked more like a massage and deep-breath time out to me. We'll see if the tactics impact the momentum
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 9, 2023
“Not this mid-match massage 🤦🏽♂️ she didn’t fall. No wincing in pain. No obvious injuries at all. Just wanting to slow down her opponent’s momentum. A shame. #USOpen.” a fan added.
Not this mid match massage 🤦🏽♂️
she didn’t fall. No wincing in pain. No obvious injuries at all.
Just wanting to slow down her opponent’s momentum.
A shame. #USOpen
— Myles David (@TunedIntoTennis) September 9, 2023
“Getting a mid-match massage to change the match I see. Hopefully doesn’t work.” A fan added.
Getting a mid-match massage to change the match I see. Hopefully doesn’t work.
— 🎾🤙🏼 (@tennisinaloha) September 9, 2023
“Sabalenka dark arts 👎🏼” Another fan added.
Sabalenka dark arts 👎🏼
— PattyValentine💜🦁⚽🏆 (@p_a_valentine) September 9, 2023
“Fake MTO by Sabalenka is wild, I honestly don’t respect that at all!” a fan added.
Fake MTO by Sabalenka is wild, I honestly don’t respect that at all!
— TC (@TheTennisCapper) September 9, 2023
“An error-strewn game from Gauff there and Sabalenka retrieves one of the breaks. 2-4. That sound you hear is everybody litigating the Sabalenka MTO …” a fan added.
An error-strewn game from Gauff there and Sabalenka retrieves one of the breaks. 2-4.
That sound you here is everybody litigating the Sabalenka MTO …
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) September 9, 2023
“Coco a better person than me I woulda told sabalenka to stfu a while ago #usopen” another fan added.
Coco a better person than me I woulda told sabalenka to stfu a while ago #usopen
— Andy S. 🇩🇲🏴 (@andy_seaman) September 9, 2023
“I hope Coco makes Sabalenka pay for that fake medical timeout #USOpen” a fan stated.
I hope Coco makes Sabalenka pay for that fake medical timeout #USOpen
— Jimmie Jackson (@JJTads) September 9, 2023
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As the match continued, fans continued to share their frustration and opinions, with comments like “Sabalenka’s questionable tactics” and “I don’t respect Sabalenka’s fake timeout” dominating the conversation.
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Despite the controversy, the match carried on, leaving everyone wondering if Coco Gauff could seize this opportunity and make Aryna Sabalenka regret her questionable timeout decision.
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