Aryna Sabalenka Slams Journalist at US Open: “Think Before You Speak

World number one Aryna Sabalenka sharply rebuked a reporter during her post-match press conference at the US Open, calling a question about her social media activity ahead of the tournament “ridiculous.”

Flushing Meadows Press Room Erupts Over Social Media Query

The incident occurred following Sabalenka’s second-round victory over Polina Iatcenko at Flushing Meadows, where the top seed secured a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win. Facing questions from the media room regarding posts she had shared online prior to the start of the final Grand Slam tournament of the season, Sabalenka made it clear she took issue with the underlying insinuation.

A Tense Exchange in the Media Room

According to reports from the tournament coverage, a reporter asked the Belarusian star whether she had spent more time celebrating and attending events than preparing for her tennis matches. The question visibly caught Sabalenka off guard before prompting a swift and defensive reaction.

Putting her hand to her head with a tense smile, Sabalenka directly challenged the premise of the inquiry. “You’re not believable… How can this question cross your mind? Just because I posted a few activities, you think I was partying instead of training?” she asked.

Cutting the Press Conference Short

When the reporter attempted to clarify the remark by stating they were merely pointing out that numerous events had taken place, Sabalenka cut the exchange short. “That’s literally what you just said,” she responded. “Next question… Think before you speak.”

Uninterrupted Momentum on the Hard Courts

Despite the courtside and media-room friction, Sabalenka has maintained formidable momentum on the hard courts of New York. Her comprehensive victory over Iatcenko advanced her safely through the early rounds of the tournament without dropping a set.

Focus Shifts to Kamila Rakhimova

The top seed now turns her attention to the next phase of the draw. Sabalenka is scheduled to face world number 92 Kamila Rakhimova in the third round of the US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka recadre un journaliste en conférence de presse pendant l’US Open
Photo: lefigaro.fr
Aryna Sabalenka Press Conference | 2026 US Open Round 2

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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