New York – After cruising to a straight‑sets victory over Polina Iatcenko at the U.S. Open, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was ready to celebrate her win on the court, not discuss her off‑court life. When a reporter in the media center tried to shift the conversation to “parties” and brand events, Sabalenka responded sharply, rolling her eyes and asking, “Why would you even think about that? What kind of question is that?”
Sabalenka, a 28‑year‑old Belarusian who has held the top spot in the women’s rankings since October 2024, emphasized that her focus remains on training and competition. “Just because I posted some activities with brands, you think I’ve been partying, not training?” she said, before cutting the interview short and demanding the next question.
Context of the exchange
The reporter clarified that the question was not an accusation of partying but an observation that many top players attend brand‑sponsored events during tournaments. Sabalenka, however, was not interested in entertaining that line of inquiry, replying, “Oh yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question. Think before you say stuff.”
Since arriving in New York, Sabalenka has shared three pieces of branded content on Instagram, a common practice for high‑profile athletes who balance sponsorship obligations with their competitive schedules. Despite the media attention, she has not dropped a set in either of her first two matches in Queens, underscoring her dominant form heading into the final rounds.
Looking ahead
Sabalenka now aims to capture a third consecutive US Open title, having won the tournament in 2025 and 2024. Her performance this year adds to a remarkable run that includes back‑to‑back victories over American players Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula in previous finals.
As the tournament progresses, Sabalenka’s focus on the sport and her refusal to be sidetracked by off‑court speculation send a clear message to both fans and the media: her priority is the game, and she expects that respect on and off the court.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
