Aryna Sabalenka has openly confronted the people who have been critical of her recent performances, telling the media that "haters can go and get on with their own lives" after she opened her campaign for a potential third straight US Open triumph. The Belarusian, who currently holds the world No. 1 ranking, used the post‑match interview to underline that she is no longer willing to entertain the endless stream of negativity that has surrounded her over the past half‑year. For the last six months Sabalenka has struggled to recapture the dominant form that made her a two‑time Grand Slam champion and the first player to complete a Sunshine Double earlier this year.
Since that March victory she has not reached another final, and the dip in results has invited a chorus of doubters. Yet on the opening day of the US Open she signaled that she is ready to rewrite that narrative.
In a striking display on Arthur Ashe Stadium, she unleashed 32 winners to dispatch Camila Osorio 6‑2, 6‑4, a performance that set up a second‑round clash with Russia’s Polina Iatcenko. When asked about the constant scrutiny, Sabalenka replied to Sky Sports Tennis with a calm but firm tone: "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." This statement reflects a growing confidence that she is learning to separate her on‑court performance from the external chatter.
The interview also featured a brief, somewhat tense exchange with a journalist who tried to probe how Sabalenka manages her energy amid the hectic pre‑tournament schedule. The reporter asked, "I'm curious, with the week leading up to the Open, there are so many events and everything, it can be kind of physically draining. On top of being the top seed here and among the favourites, how do you balance the energy, especially with the energy that New York brings into your tennis? And then looking over the next two weeks, how do you kind of maintain a steady level with your energy?" Sabalenka responded sharply, "What is the question there?" When the journalist persisted, pointing out that she had a packed week, Sabalenka pushed back, "Why do you think the week before I wasn't focused on tennis?" She concluded, "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." Beyond the verbal sparring, Sabalenka’s comments also serve a strategic purpose.
She is currently defending her top‑ranking spot against three other contenders who are also in the women's draw and could potentially overtake her if they deliver deep runs. By asserting her mental resilience and refusing to be rattled by external opinions, Sabalenka is sending a clear message to both rivals and fans: she remains the player to beat. The broader context of her remarks is worth noting. The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the calendar year, offers a rare chance for a "three‑peat"—winning the title three years in a row—a feat achieved by only a handful of women in the Open Era.
Sabalenka’s ambition to become the first to accomplish this since the early 2000s adds extra pressure, and the scrutiny she faces is amplified by the historic nature of that goal. In addition to the on‑court action, the tournament is being broadcast across multiple platforms. Viewers can stream the US Open without a contract on NOW, watch live coverage on Sky Sports from August 30, and access highlights, scores, and match replays via the Sky Sports app. The network also promotes related tennis events, such as the Laver Cup, which will be shown from September 25‑27.
Sabalenka’s candidness about dealing with criticism reflects a broader trend among elite athletes who are increasingly vocal about mental health and the impact of public opinion. By openly dismissing the negativity and focusing on her own process, she joins a growing list of sports figures who prioritize personal well‑being over external validation. This stance not only helps her maintain focus during the grueling two‑week tournament but also resonates with fans who appreciate authenticity. As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on Sabalenka to see if her renewed confidence translates into sustained success.
Her early victory over Osorio suggests that she has found a rhythm, but the path to a third consecutive US Open title is fraught with challenges—from tough opponents in later rounds to the inevitable physical and mental fatigue that comes with back‑to‑back Grand Slam victories. Whether she can silence the "miserable haters" and deliver a historic three‑peat remains to be seen, but her outspoken defiance marks a clear shift in her mindset: she is determined to let her game speak louder than any criticism.