MIAMI, FL – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has revealed a rather unique strategy for managing her on-court frustrations: swearing in Portuguese. The tactic, employed to avoid penalties during matches, came to light after her 6-4, 6-2 victory over Catherine McNally in the third round of the 2026 Miami Open on Sunday. Sabalenka’s innovative approach highlights the mental challenges faced by even the top players in professional tennis and the lengths they’ll go to maintain composure.
The Belarusian player, engaged to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis, the CEO of Oakberry and a co-owner of Le Mans FC alongside figures like Novak Djokovic, Felipe Massa, and Thibaut Courtois, has been picking up the language from her fiancé. While her Portuguese isn’t conversational – despite some effort with language learning apps like Duolingo – it’s proving sufficient to vent her frustrations without attracting the attention of officials.
A Calculated Risk
“It’s the most beautiful language for swearing, I love it,” Sabalenka said with a smile during her post-match press conference. “And now it just comes naturally from my mouth. The umpires don’t pay attention when I say things randomly in Portuguese, and I don’t get any warnings.” The revelation drew laughter from the assembled journalists, but Sabalenka acknowledged that the tactic may now be compromised. “Now they know, so I’ll have to find other things,” she quipped.
Sabalenka’s initial success with this method speaks to the subtle art of gamesmanship within professional sports. While outbursts and visible frustration are common, players are penalized for audible obscenities or unsportsmanlike conduct. Finding a loophole – even one as unconventional as utilizing a foreign language – demonstrates a player’s strategic thinking and desire to maintain a competitive edge. It’s a fascinating example of how athletes adapt and innovate, even in the realm of emotional control.
Early Struggles, Eventual Control Against McNally
The match against McNally wasn’t without its challenges for Sabalenka. The world number one initially struggled to find her rhythm, missing forehands she typically converts and allowing McNally to stay within striking distance early in the first set. McNally even managed to break Sabalenka in the opening game, briefly raising hopes of a potential upset. However, Sabalenka quickly regained control, breaking back immediately and establishing a 2-1 lead.
Despite holding serve in the following game, McNally continued to challenge Sabalenka. The Belarusian’s unforced errors persisted, and she found herself in a surprisingly tight contest. After breaking McNally to lead 4-2, Sabalenka’s game momentarily faltered again, losing her next service game after attempting a net play – a tactic that played into McNally’s strengths. McNally capitalized, breaking back to level the set at 4-4. The momentum briefly swung in the American’s favor, prompting some observers to recall Sebastian Korda’s earlier upset victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the same tournament.
Sabalenka’s superior power and experience proved decisive. She refocused, minimizing unforced errors and regaining control of the match. She secured the first set 6-4 and then dominated the second, winning 6-2 to close out the victory. The win propelled her into the round of 16 at the Miami Open, where she will face Qinwen Zheng.
What’s Next for Sabalenka?
Sabalenka’s upcoming match against Qinwen Zheng will be closely watched, not just for its competitive implications but also for any further displays of her linguistic strategy. Whether she continues to employ Portuguese expletives or seeks a new method for managing her emotions remains to be seen. The fact that she openly acknowledged the tactic has undoubtedly alerted officials, making its continued effectiveness less certain.
Beyond the Miami Open, Sabalenka will be looking to build on her strong start to the 2026 season. She’s aiming to maintain her position as the world’s top-ranked player and prepare for the upcoming clay court season and, the French Open. Her ability to control her emotions and maintain focus will be crucial to her success throughout the year.
The Miami Open continues with several other high-profile matches. Fans can follow the tournament’s progress and results on the official WTA Tour website. Sabalenka’s unique approach to on-court frustration has certainly added an intriguing layer to the competition, and her next match promises to be a compelling spectacle.
Next up: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng in the Round of 16 at the Miami Open. Match time is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th at 7:00 PM EDT (11:00 PM UTC).
What do you think of Sabalenka’s strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
