Aryna Sabalenka confronted the chorus of detractors with a blunt message, telling anyone who doubts her that "haters can go and get on with their own lives" after she opened her campaign for a possible third straight US Open crown with a convincing victory. The Belarusian, currently perched at world number one, has been working to re‑establish the dominant form that made her a regular fixture in finals before a turbulent half‑year that saw her miss a championship match since completing the Sunshine Double in March. Yet the first round on Arthur Ashe Stadium offered a clear statement of intent: Sabalenka unleashed a barrage of 32 winners to dispatch Camila Osorio 6‑2, 6‑4, securing a place in the second round against Russia’s Polina Iatcenko. In a post‑match press conference, Sabalenka reflected on the constant scrutiny that comes with being at the top of the sport.
"People either love you or they hate you," she told Sky Sports Tennis, acknowledging that the spotlight inevitably draws both supporters and critics. "It took me a little while to shut down those noises.
There will always be people who support your choices, people who go against you, people who love you or hate you. I'm so tired of the miserable haters. I decided to stay strong with myself and trust the process, trust my choices and my taste.
Whoever loves me will be there no matter what. Haters can go and get on with their own lives." The remarks came amid a broader narrative about Sabalenka’s recent form.
After a period marked by early exits and a failure to reach another final, the four‑time Grand Slam champion appears determined to reclaim the consistency that propelled her to the top of the rankings. Her aggressive baseline game, powerful serve, and relentless forehand have once again been on display, as evidenced by the 32 winners she produced against Osorio.
The win not only gave her momentum but also set up a potentially tricky second‑round encounter with the rising Russian Iatcenko, who has shown promise in recent tournaments. During the same briefing, Sabalenka engaged in a somewhat tense exchange with a journalist who asked about the physical and mental toll of the busy pre‑Open schedule. The reporter queried how the champion balances the energy demands of a packed week of events with the pressure of being the top seed in New York. Sabalenka responded sharply, "What is the question there?" and followed up with, "Why do you think the week before I wasn't focused on tennis?" She emphasized that all of her off‑court commitments are essentially extensions of her tennis life, stating, "It's like my hobby outside of tennis.
The whole schedule we plan is all around tennis. So all of those events are not drawing me away in any way." The exchange highlighted Sabalenka’s frustration with what she perceives as unnecessary probing and underscored her desire to keep the focus squarely on her performance on the court.
Her confidence in handling media scrutiny mirrors the mental resilience she has cultivated throughout her career, especially after the setbacks of the previous six months. By openly confronting the negativity, she aims to set a tone for the rest of the tournament, signaling that she will not be distracted by external chatter. Sabalenka’s position at the summit of the women’s rankings is also under threat from three other contenders who have the potential to overtake her as the tournament progresses.
The competition in the women’s draw is fierce, with several players in form and eager to capitalize on any slip‑ups. Nevertheless, Sabalenka’s early performance suggests she is prepared to defend her ranking and her title aspirations with vigor. For fans eager to follow the action, the US Open is being broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available through NOW without a contract and via the Sky Sports app.
In addition to the main event, viewers can also catch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also covered by Sky Sports. Overall, Sabalenka’s message to her critics is clear: she is focused, resilient, and unbothered by the noise. Her decisive win in the opening round, coupled with her candid remarks about haters and media pressure, paints a picture of a champion determined to silence doubters by delivering results on the biggest stage.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on whether she can translate this renewed confidence into a historic three‑peat at the US Open.