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Aryna Sabalenka's wayward soccer kick plunks photographer in funny WTA Finals moment

All was well—but "our world number one is doing serious damages in Riyadh," joked Ons Jabeur.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Oct 30, 2024

MATCH POINT: Aryna Sabalenka tops Zheng Qinwen for third straight Wuhan title

The opponents tasked with beating her over the next week in Saudi Arabia might disagree, but one WTA Finals photographer is no doubt happy that Aryna Sabalenka chose to play tennis after she took an unintentional shot to the head from the world No. 1 on the soccer field.

Joining Ons Jabeur for a visit with youth soccer players in Riyadh on Wednesday, Sabalenka happily chatted with the young girls as a part of a tour of one of the proposed venues for the 2034 World Cup. But when she decided to show off her fleet feet by trying to take a penalty kick, disaster struck: Her soft strike veered right of its target, and instead of sailing through one of the holes she was aiming for, hit the shutterbug, who was kneeling to document the meet-and-greet, on her head.

Read more: Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek headline round-robin groups at 2024 WTA Finals

Sabalenka quickly raced over to apologize to the woman, who wasn't hurt and took the moment in stride. The Tunisian also checked in on the photographer's well-being, joking with her and Sabalenka that "she didn't have insurance."

The two-time WTA Finals participant and Sabalenka's "bestie" later posted video of the clip with a humorous caption: "Our world number one is doing serious damages in Riyadh." (The photographer herself, Katelyn Mulcahy, later popped into Jabeur's Instagram comments to reassure fans that she was fine, and has insurance!)

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Though the Tunisian ended her season in September due to a shoulder injury, she is nonetheless in Riyadh to support the event, having been one of the strongest advocates for the Saudis' to be awarded the year-end championships.

Earlier this year, Jabeur said she'd be the "first person" in line to support the WTA Finals in the Gulf country.

Read more: Is Ons Jabeur the person to lead the WTA to Riyadh?

"The country is evolving," she said in Indian Wells. "I know that other people have a different opinion, which is normal, but I've been there a couple of times and I've seen how amazing people are, how women are getting more and more rights.

"As a female tennis player I feel it's time to go there, it's time to give the opportunity to women who dream of being tennis players."

Jabeur and Sabalenka were also presented with personalized Saudi soccer jerseys with their names on the back, and the number '34' to represent the bid year.