Aryna Sabalenka shut down a reporter who suggested she had been partying ahead of the US Open.
The 28-year-old Belarusian, who crushed Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova 6-1 6-1 in 53 minutes during her second-round match on September 2, faced questions about her off-court activities during her post-match press conference at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. A reporter opened by asking about her mood now that the tournament had begun, referencing “lots of parties and fun and stuff like that” from the previous week.
Sabalenka immediately pushed back. “You guys are, like, a joke. Parties, fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? What kind of question is that?”
She continued, “Just because I posted, like, some activities with brands, and you think that I’ve been partying, not training? The question, like, what is that?”
The reporter attempted to clarify his intent. “I’m saying that there are a lot of events and things like that. I’m not saying you go to the parties,” he said.
Sabalenka was not satisfied. “You literally said that. Next question.”
He tried once more. “For everyone who is unclear, I’m not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties,” he said. “I’m saying that she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do and lots of events, OK?”
The exchange did not end there. The reporter pivoted to ask whether she was now getting “quite serious and combative” with the tournament underway.
Sabalenka fired back, “Oh, yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question. Think before you say stuff.”
The tense Q&A came days after Sabalenka had already faced scrutiny over her on-court wardrobe. She wore a bright orange Nike sports bra and matching shorts with a black jersey-style top and gold jewelry for a mixed doubles appearance alongside Novak Djokovic at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Some viewers criticized the look as inappropriate, prompting Sabalenka to defend the design on social media.
“I love basically everything about my outfit. I love that it’s different. I love that this outfit is bold. Whatever people saying on internet, I heard they probably didn’t like it … it’s funny for me,” she said in her Instagram Stories post.
She added, “Who cares what people think? I love it.”
Sabalenka also explained the concept behind the look. “This year it was super special for Nike. It was always related to different sports. Surfing for the Australian Open, ballet for Roland Garros, cricket for Wimbledon. Now it’s basketball and we’re in New York. Isn’t it the perfect fit?”
The back-to-back controversies have made for a headline-heavy US Open for the world No. 2, who has advanced in straight sets while batting away criticism of both her fashion choices and her professionalism.
Sabalenka will face unseeded Czech Marie Bouzkova in the third round at Flushing Meadows.