Aryna Sabalenka receives a hefty penalty for 'Racket abuse', Novak Djokovic faces backlash from fans over social media post

The first Grand Slam of the year launched the tennis season, showcasing not only some of the most notable meltdowns fans have witnessed but also an array of astonishing fines imposed on players.

One of the latest fines was handed to Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time Australian Open champion, who appeared unable to cope with the loss in the finals of the Australian Open. She let her emotions spill over following her defeat in the final against Madison Keys.

After coming back to win the second set, the world No. 1 faced a tough loss in the deciding set, finishing at 7-5. Despite the disappointment, she displayed sportsmanship by embracing Keys before heading to her bench. However, following that she smashed her racket into pieces in an attempt to vent her frustration.

As a result, she received a $20,000 fine. While this is less than the maximum penalty of $50,000, it is something that could have been easily avoided had Sabalenka maintained composure.

The three-time Grand Slam champion was not the only player facing fines for racket abuse in Australia. She stood alongside Daniil Medvedev, another notable case of losing control on the court.

After a fierce fixture, Sabalenka buried her head in a towel to process her emotions and walked off the court before the trophy presentation. However, she managed to regain her composure and delivered a gracious speech at the prize distribution ceremony.

Novak Djokovic faced fans' backlash 

Fans have expressed their frustration regarding the timing of Djokovic's response to his critics. While fans were celebrating Madison Keys' remarkable grand slam victory, some felt that Djokovic's comments may have overshadowed the accomplishments of the women's champion. During the semi-final, Djokovic unfortunately had to retire due to injury after one set against Alexander Zverev.

Earlier in the tournament, Djokovic sustained a hamstring injury during his quarter-final match against Carlos Alcaraz, which he managed to overcome for a four-set win. This had raised questions about his readiness for the semi-final of the Australian Open.