Aryna Sabalenka abruptly ended a probing interview about her off‑court activities after she secured a swift second‑round victory at the US Open. The Belarusian, who is the two‑time defending champion, demolished Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko with a dominant 6‑1, 6‑1 win in just 53 minutes on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Having already faced a similar line of questioning after her first‑round triumph, Sabalenka pushed back hard, insisting that her extracurricular engagements have not interfered with her Grand Slam preparation. Known for regularly posting on social media about the events she attends and the brands she represents, she snapped at the reporter, "You guys are, like, a joke. Parties, fun.
Why would you even bring that up? What kind of question is that?" She continued, "Just because I shared some pictures with sponsors, you assume I'm out partying and not training?
What is that supposed to mean?" When the journalist tried to clarify, saying, "I'm not saying you go to parties, I'm just noting the many events you attend," Sabalenka cut him off, "You literally said that. Next question." The exchange quickly turned tense. The reporter attempted to soften his tone, "For anyone listening, I'm not accusing Aryna of having a good time at parties." Sabalenka replied curtly, "Thanks, yeah. I'm saying she makes a lot of appearances and there's a lot to do and lots of events, OK?" The reporter persisted, "OK.
Move on," she snapped, demanding the interview move forward. He then asked, "Now that the tournament has begun, are you becoming more 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." The world No.
1, who is chasing a third consecutive US Open title to join the likes of Serena Williams and Chris Evert, will face Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday, aiming for her 17th straight win at Flushing Meadows. In other news, Carlos Alcaraz continued his comeback from a long wrist injury, battling back from a set down to defeat Portugal's Jaime Faria 4‑6, 6‑0, 6‑3, 6‑2 and advance to the third round.
After falling behind early, Alcaraz rallied with eight consecutive games, showcasing the focus and calm that have fueled his 16‑match winning streak in Grand Slam events. "After that I just tried to be focused, tried to stay calm and I'm thinking that good things are going to happen again," the Spaniard said. Peruvian teenager Ignacio Buse added a new chapter to his family's US Open legacy. He secured his first main‑draw victory by edging American Marcos Giron in a grueling five‑setter, 3‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 6‑7(6), 6‑1, after 3 hours and 48 minutes on Court Six.
Buse’s win echoed his grandfather Eduardo's historic 1958 triumph at the same tournament. He described the fifth set as a mental battle, saying, "It's difficult to find the 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." Stefanos Tsitsipas also survived a tough contest, rallying from a set down to beat South Africa's Lloyd Harris 6‑7(1‑7), 6‑3, 7‑6(7‑4), 6‑4. The Greek, who upset 10th seed Arthur Fils in the opening round, now prepares to meet Czech 18th seed Jiri Lehecka.
American 11th seed Frances Tiafoe defeated Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto 6‑3, 7‑6(7‑2), 7‑5, keeping alive the United States' hope of ending a 23‑year drought for a homegrown men's champion at the New York venue. 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 on Sky Sports. Overall, the tournament has already delivered a mix of dominant performances, emotional comebacks, and heated moments off the court. Sabalenka’s outburst highlights the increasing scrutiny athletes face regarding their off‑court lives, especially when they maintain an active social‑media presence.
While she remains focused on defending her title, the incident serves as a reminder that even top‑ranked players must navigate the delicate balance between personal branding and the expectations of the media and fans. As the competition progresses, the narrative will continue to evolve around who can sustain the physical and mental stamina required to claim the coveted trophy. Whether it’s the relentless drive of Alcaraz, the historic aspirations of Buse, or the seasoned resilience of Sabalenka, each match adds another layer to the unfolding drama of this year's US Open.