Sabalenka Slams Reporter Over ‘Party’ Question at the US Open

Aryna Sabalenka entered Flushing Meadows as the defending champion for the second straight year, and after breezing through her opening match she was ready to focus on the road to a possible three‑peat. Yet the calm was broken in the post‑match press conference when a reporter brought up a topic that seemed, to Sabalenka, completely off‑base.

“How are you feeling now that the tournament has started? Obviously last week it was lots of parties and fun and stuff like that…,” the journalist said, gesturing toward the flurry of sponsor appearances Sabalenka had made during the build‑up.

Sabalenka’s reaction was immediate and sharp. “You guys are like a joke. Parties. Fun. Why would you even say that?” she snapped. “Why would you even think about that? What kind of question is that? Just because I posted some activities with brands you think I’ve been partying?”

The reporter tried to clarify, saying the question wasn’t meant to imply that Sabalenka had been out clubbing, but rather to discuss the shift from promotional duties to competition mode. Sabalenka, however, wasn’t having it. When pressed whether she was now being “serious and combative,” she fired back, “Oh yeah, I wasn’t serious before that. Next question. Think before you say stuff.”

It’s an understandable frustration. As a superstar who balances intense training, a demanding tournament schedule, and a slew of media obligations, Sabalenka wants the conversation to stay on the court, not on whether she’s attending social events. The line between promotional work and preparation for matches is blurry, but the athlete made it clear she’d rather the focus be on her game.

Despite the heated moment, press conferences remain a space for journalists to ask anything—whether it’s about strategy, mindset, or the occasional off‑court anecdote. For Sabalenka, the hope is that future questions will stay rooted in tennis, letting her concentrate on delivering the level of play that earned her two US Open titles already.

As the tournament rolls on, all eyes will be on the Belarusian ace to see if she can convert that fire‑brand response into fire‑brand performance on Centre Court.