(VIDEO) Aryna Sabalenka refuses to receive runner-up trophy at Stuttgart Open

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka refused to receive the runner-up trophy at the Stuttgart Open in a humorous moment after the final. The 26-year-old suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the WTA 500 event to Jeļena Ostapenko in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-1.

In a video that was available on the social media platform, Sabalenka can be seen refusing to get up to receive the runner-up trophy in a humorous moment after the final. The reigning world number one after the match, while talking on the court, admitted that she was second-best today. “First of all, I want to congratulate Jelena and her team on a great week,” she said. “You played really great this week. You were a better player than me today. That’s all about it. Well done.”

The result was a major disappointment for the three-time Grand Slam winner as it was the third time this year she suffered a defeat in the final of an event. She lost in the final of the Australian Open to America’s Madison Keys with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. After that, she lost in the final of the Indian Wells to Russia’s Maria Sharapova with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

On the other hand, Ostapenko was ecstatic as it was her third WTA 500 title in her career. She also stated that she had a feeling while arriving at the competition that she would go all the way and lift the title. "Honestly, I didn't tell to anyone, I was keeping it to myself, but I felt very confident since the first day," she said. "I had, like, strange -- not strange but in a good way, strange feeling. When I came here, I felt like something is going to happen this week. I pretty much felt that I can win this tournament. Because I think I'm improving day by day and I'm playing better and better. Yeah, I think I deserve it. Obviously I played her a few times, but I analyzed those matches and I knew what I had to do different today," Ostapenko said. "I think I was more confident and more true player today than before."