Aryna Sabalenka abruptly ended a probing interview about her off‑court activities after securing a swift second‑round victory at the US Open. The Belarusian, who is the two‑time defending champion, dispatched Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko in just 53 minutes, winning 6‑1, 6‑1 on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match itself was a showcase of Sabalenka’s dominance, but the post‑match press conference quickly turned contentious when a reporter pressed her about the numerous brand engagements and social‑media appearances she has made in recent weeks.
Sabalenka, who frequently shares snapshots of her life with sponsors and fans, bristled at the implication that her off‑court commitments might be interfering with her preparation for the Grand Slam. "You guys are a joke," she snapped, her tone sharp.
"Parties, fun—why would you even ask that? What kind of question is that? Just because I posted a few pictures with sponsors, you think I’ve been partying instead of training? What is that about?" When the journalist tried to clarify, saying, "I’m not saying you go to parties, I’m just noting you have a lot of events and appearances," Sabalenka cut him off, "You literally said that.
Next question." The exchange highlighted the growing tension between athletes’ public personas and the media’s desire for a compelling narrative. The reporter persisted, attempting to explain, "For anyone who’s unclear, I’m not suggesting Aryna is having fun at these parties." Sabalenka responded curtly, "Thanks, yeah," before moving on.
She then reiterated, "I’m saying she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do and lots of events, OK?" to which Sabalenka replied, "OK. Move on." The questioning continued with a broader inquiry about Sabalenka’s mindset now that the tournament was underway: "Now that the tournament has started, do you find you’re getting quite serious and combative?" Sabalenka answered with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question.
Think before you say stuff." Sabalenka, who is currently world No. 1, is chasing a third consecutive US Open title—a feat achieved only by legends such as Serena Williams and Chris Evert. She will face Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday, aiming for her 17th straight win at Flushing Meadows.
In other news from the tournament, Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz continued his comeback from a lengthy wrist injury, rallying from a set down to defeat Portugal’s Jaime Faria 4‑6, 6‑0, 6‑3, 6‑2 and advance to the third round. Alcaraz described his performance as a mental reset: "After that I just tried to be focused, stayed calm, and I think good things are going to happen again." He is now on a 16‑match winning streak in Grand Slam events. Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse added a historic chapter to his family’s US Open legacy. Buse earned his first main‑draw victory by outlasting American Marcos Giron in a grueling five‑set marathon (3‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 6‑7(6), 6‑1) that lasted three hours and 48 minutes on Court Six.
His win echoed his grandfather Eduardo’s 1958 US Open triumph, marking a remarkable generational link. Buse reflected on the mental challenge: "It’s difficult to find calm in those situations, but in the fifth set I just tried to recover mentally. It’s a mental battle out there, I just stayed calm.
It’s a very special moment." Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas also survived a tight battle, coming from a set down to beat South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 6‑7(1‑7), 6‑3, 7‑6(7‑4), 6‑4. Tsitsipas, who upset 10th‑seed Arthur Fils in the opening round, now looks ahead to a clash with Czech 18th‑seed Jiri Lehecka.
American 11th‑seed Frances Tiafoe kept the hope of ending a 23‑year drought for a home‑grown men’s champion alive by defeating Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto 6‑3, 7‑6(7‑2), 7‑5. The American crowd remained hopeful as Tiafoe’s run progressed. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also catch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also shown on Sky Sports.
Overall, Sabalenka’s fiery exchange underscores the delicate balance top athletes must strike between maintaining a marketable public image and protecting their focus on competition. While sponsors and social media provide valuable exposure and financial support, they also invite scrutiny that can distract from performance. Sabalenka’s blunt reminder—"think before you say stuff"—serves as a cautionary note to journalists and fans alike: respect the athlete’s preparation and avoid insinuations that could undermine their dedication to the sport.