Aryna Sabalenka abruptly ended a probing interview about her off‑court commitments after securing a dominant second‑round victory at the US Open. The two‑time defending champion dispatched Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko with a clinical 6‑1, 6‑1 win in just 53 minutes on the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium, and then turned her attention to a reporter who kept pressing her about how she spends her time outside of tennis. Having already faced a similar line of questioning after her first‑round triumph, Sabalenka made it clear that her social‑media presence and brand engagements do not interfere with her preparation for the Grand Slam.
"You guys are a joke," she snapped, visibly irritated. "Parties, fun – why would you even ask that?
What kind of question is that? Just because I posted some pictures with sponsors, you assume I'm partying instead of training?" Her tone was sharp, and she quickly interrupted the reporter when he tried to clarify his point. "You literally said that.
Next question," she said, demanding the interview move on. The reporter attempted to soften his approach, stating, "I'm not saying Aryna is having fun at parties," but Sabalenka was already impatient. "Thanks, yeah," she replied curtly, before the reporter continued, "I'm saying she makes a lot of appearances and there are many events, okay?" Sabalenka responded with a terse, "OK.
Move on," signalling that she would not entertain further speculation about her schedule. When the journalist shifted the focus to Sabalenka's mindset now that the tournament was underway, asking whether she was becoming more serious and combative, the world No. 1 answered with a hint of sarcasm: "Oh, yeah, I wasn't serious before that.
Next question. Think before you say stuff." Her frustration was evident; she wanted the conversation to stay on the court, not on her personal life.
Sabalenka is currently chasing a third straight US Open title, a feat last achieved by legends such as Serena Williams and Chris Evert. She will face Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday, aiming for her 17th consecutive win at Flushing Meadows. The pressure to maintain her dominance is immense, and any distraction—real or imagined—can be a source of irritation for a player of her caliber. 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, the defending champion, turned the match around by winning eight straight games after the first set, showcasing the calm and focus he says are essential to his success. "After that I just tried to be focused, tried to stay calm and I'm thinking that good things are going to happen again," Alcaraz explained, riding a 16‑match Grand Slam winning streak.
Meanwhile, Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse added a new chapter to his family’s US Open legacy. Buse secured his first main‑draw victory by overcoming American Marcos Giron in a grueling five‑set battle that lasted three hours and 48 minutes on Court Six.
The match concluded with a decisive backhand volley that sparked a roar from the crowd. "It’s difficult to find the calm in those situations, but in the fifth set I just tried to recover mentally," Buse said afterward. "It’s a mental battle out there.
I just stayed calm. It’s a very special moment." His win echoed the achievement of his grandfather Eduardo, who last won a match at the US Open in 1958. Greek contender Stefanos Tsitsipas also survived a tight encounter, rallying 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 shocked 10th seed Arthur Fils in the opening round, now looks ahead to a clash with Czech 18th seed Jiri Lehecka. Across the net, American 11th seed Frances Tiafoe defeated Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto 6‑3, 7‑6(7‑2), 7‑5, keeping alive the United States’ hopes of ending a 23‑year drought without a home‑grown men’s champion at the Flushing Meadows event. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, allowing fans to watch without a contract.
In addition to tennis, the network will also feature the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27. Sabalenka’s outburst highlights the growing tension between athletes’ public personas and the media’s appetite for personal details.
While players increasingly use social media to showcase sponsorships, charitable work, and moments of leisure, journalists often frame those posts as evidence of a lack of focus. For Sabalenka, whose preparation routine is meticulously crafted, such insinuations can feel like an affront to her professionalism. Her insistence on "thinking before you say stuff" serves as a reminder that athletes, especially those at the pinnacle of their sport, deserve respect for the hard work they invest behind the scenes. As the tournament progresses, the spotlight will remain on Sabalenka’s quest for a historic third title, Alcaraz’s return to form, and the emerging narratives of newcomers like Buse and Tsitsipas.
Whether on the court or off it, the players’ ability to navigate media scrutiny while maintaining peak performance will continue to shape the drama of this year’s US Open.