Aryna Sabalenka took issue with a reporter suggesting she had been partying in the lead up to the US Open – prompting a fiery response from the Belarusian
Aryna Sabalenka told a reporter at the US Open to “think before you speak” after taking issue with suggestions she was partying in the lead up to the tournament.
The World No 1 is the two-time defending champion in New York and has made light work of her opening two games, winning them both in straight sets in double quick time.
Sabalenka has been at the top of the women’s game for years and her personality has long made her a big draw for sponsors and brands. As a result she’s been involved in several activities prior to the US Open kicking off.
But the four-time Grand Slam champion took great issue when asked about whether she was now fully focused on the tournament because “obviously last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that..”
The 28-year-old immediately shook her head and responded: “You guys are like a joke. Parties. Fun. Why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands and you think that I’ve been partying?”
The reporter attempt to clarify that whilst parties were happening, he didn’t want to imply that Sabalenka herself was going to the parties, but she hit back: “You literally said that.”
Afterwards the reporter attempted to get Sabalenka back onside and asked: “Now that the tournaments started, do you find you’re getting quite serious and combative?”
But that only provoked an equally frustrated response and she said: “Oh yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question.” After a pause she then went back and claimed: “Think before you say stuff.”
The exchange happened after Sabalenka had secured one of the quickest Grand Slam wins of her career with a 53-minute pummelling of US Open debutant Polina Iatcenko in the second round. She will now play Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round.
Sabalenka started the year in blistering form but has only reached one WTA semi-final in the past five months as she faces a battle to keep hold of top spot in the rankings.
Elena Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka to win the Australian Open, is eyeing the No 1 spot. Even if Sabalenka were to retain the title, Rybakina would still rise to the summit by reaching the semi-finals.
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