Aryna Sabalenka will be replaced as world number two by Mirra Andreeva on Monday
Aryna Sabalenka has apologised and denied claims that she insulted opponent Elina Svitolina after a viral clip showed her swearing during her WTA Finals defeat by the Ukrainian.
A video of world number two Sabalenka angrily gesturing and swearing in Russian during her 6-3 3-6 6-1 defeat by Ukraine's Svitolina was posted on social media on Saturday.
Some commentators interpreted Belarusian Sabalenka's comments as an insult towards Svitolina or Ukrainians in general.
Sabalenka later wrote on social media that "my comment was not directed at Elina" but she lost her temper because of the behaviour of some fans.
"I was frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally in the moment," the 28-year-old wrote.
"That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone offended."
Sabalenka said Svitolina had played a great match, adding that she wished her "all the best for the rest of the tournament".
Svitolina races into WTA Finals showpiece against Andreeva
Ukrainian players have a long-standing policy of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players because of the ongoing invasion of their country.
They also do not take pre-match photographs with each other.
But Svitolina, who says she has seen the viral clips of Sabalenka's outburst on social media, says she hopes the matches between the two can be "respected".
In response to Sabalenka's statement, Svitolina said on Saturday: "As we see there's many, many Ukrainians, many, many flags and of course they want me to win this particular match.
"We've played many times with Aryna. She has her fans. I have my fans.
"I just hope the matches between us [are] respected. Sometimes in some matches that we've played also there have been not great comments towards me in regards of the war.
"It is like this in the social media, sometimes the things are turned around a little bit."
Svitolina will face Mirra Andreeva in the WTA Finals showpiece after thrashing Linda Noskova in the semi-finals.
The Ukrainian was composed and aggressive in a 6-2 6-1 victory over Wimbledon champion Noskova in just 64 minutes.
Nerveless Andreeva reaches WTA Finals showpiece
Sabalenka's season ended by Svitolina at WTA Finals
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