Aryna Sabalenka Blasts Reporter Over ‘Parties and Fun’ Question at US Open: “You Guys Are Like a Joke”

Aryna Sabalenka went back and forth with a journalist after dispatching Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in the second round of the US Open. It was another dominant performance from the World No.1 as she also cruised past Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 in the first round.

At the press conference after her second-round win, she was asked about her pre-tournament activities that involved “lots of parties and fun“. The question prompted a sharp response from the Belarusian ace.

You guys are like a joke. Parties. Fun. Why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands and you think that I’ve been partying?

The reporter responded with: “I’m saying that there are a lot of events and things like that. I’m not saying you go to the parties.” Sabalenka interrupted him, saying, “You literally said that.”

The reporter insisted he did not say she goes to parties: “Excuse me? For everyone who’s unclear, I’m not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties. I’m saying she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do.” He then asked her if she was getting “serious and combative” after the start of the tournament. Sabalenka responded fiercely:

Oh yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question. Think before you say stuff.

Aryna Sabalenka was not happy with a question she received during her U.S. Open press conference, ‘Think before you say stuff’

“How are you finding your mood now that the tournament has started? Obviously last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that..”

Aryna: “You… pic.twitter.com/CPZvShRbSI

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 3, 2026

Before Sabalenka’s campaign, Boris Becker, on the Becker Petkovic podcast, discussed Sabalenka’s form going into the US Open. He wondered whether her focus has shifted toward her personal life after her engagement to Georgios Frangulis in March this year, saying she is seen “more on social media“.

Sabalenka, since completing the Sunshine Double in March, has reached just one semifinal (at the Berlin Open). She was expected to regain her form on the North American hardcourt swing, but she failed to go past the fourth round of both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open.

Because of her trophyless run, Sabalenka is on the verge of losing her No.1 ranking to Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, or Jessica Pegula. If Rybakina reaches the semifinals, she will reach her career-best ranking.

Gauff and Pegula will only reach the No.1 ranking if they win the title and Rybakina loses before the semifinals. Sabalenka will be able to maintain her position if she wins the title and the Kazakh ace loses before the semifinals.

Aryna Sabalenka on her level at the US Open

Earlier this year, before completing the Sunshine Double, Aryna Sabalenka won and defended her title at the Brisbane International, then reached the final of the Australian Open, losing the match to Elena Rybakina. Although she suffered from a slump in form afterward, Sabalenka feels she is mentally much stronger than she was in the middle of the season.

I’m happy with my level. I’ve been working really hard, but I feel like I’m kind of moving away from trying to be perfect on court. I know that you cannot be perfect, and I’m just trying to work with what I have right now.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion will next be locking horns with Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova and will be hoping to improve the head-to-head record to a perfect 4-0.

Sabalenka is bidding to become the third woman in the Open Era after Serena Williams and Chris Evert to complete a hat-trick at the US Open. In the previous two seasons, Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula (2024) and Amanda Anisimova (2025) in the finals. But it was in 2023 that Sabalenka advanced to the final of the New York Major for the first time, losing to Coco Gauff.

Also read: Juan Martin del Potro Sends Urgent Wrist Warning to Carlos Alcaraz After US Open Return