Aryna Sabalenka Criticizes Reporter Over Pre-Tournament Question at US Open
Sabalenka's Strong Response to Media Inquiry
File image of Aryna Sabalenka (Photo: @Tiempodetenis1/X)
New York, Sep 3: Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time reigning champion, expressed her frustration towards a reporter during a press conference after her second-round victory at the US Open, where she was questioned about her activities prior to the tournament.
In her match, Sabalenka dominated Polina Iatcenko with a score of 6-1, 6-1, advancing to the third round as she aims to defend her title in New York. After her impressive performance against the 22-year-old, the World No. 1 was asked about her sponsorship engagements leading up to the event.
"How are you feeling now that the tournament has begun? Last week seemed filled with parties and fun," the reporter inquired. Sabalenka sharply criticized the question, asking, "What kind of question is that?"
"You guys are like a joke. Parties? Fun? Why would you even suggest that? Just because I shared some brand activities, you assume I've been partying?" she responded during the press conference.
Sabalenka's second-round match was swift, taking only 54 minutes to defeat Iatcenko, marking her 15th consecutive win at the US Open.
Reflecting on her performance, she stated, "I'm pleased with my level. I've been putting in a lot of effort, but I'm moving away from the idea of being perfect on the court. I understand that perfection is unattainable, and I'm focusing on making the most of my current abilities."
"I'm satisfied with my performance, my concentration, and my ability to maintain focus on myself regardless of external factors," she added.
As the top seed, Sabalenka is set to face Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round, aiming to become only the third woman to secure three consecutive US Open titles.