“You guys are a joke” – Aryna Sabalenka goes scorched earth on US Open journalist after bizarre ‘partying’ question
Aryna Sabalenka did not hold back after a US Open journalist questioned whether her recent activities suggested she had been partying rather than training. Sabalenka is making her run to defend her title for the second consecutive time at the 2026 US Open.
On Wednesday, the four-time Grand Slam champion saw off Polina Iatcenko to advance to the third round at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Sabalenka started strong and quickly took control by winning the first set in just 24 minutes. In the second set, she broke the 22-year-old qualifier’s serve in the opening game and held her own serve to lead 2-0. She maintained control and won the match 6-1, 6-1.
However, the two-time US Open singles champion was stunned by a bizarre question during her post-match interview. One of the journalists wanted to know if it was difficult for Sabalenka to switch into tournament mode after a week full of sponsorship activities ahead of the US Open.
“I’m sort of curious. How are you finding like your mood once now that the tournament has started? Obviously last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that,” the journalist asked.
Sabalenka felt the question suggesting her transition after attending so many “parties” was unfair. Clearly annoyed by the journalist’s question, she stated that just because she posted activities with brands, it doesn’t mean she was partying instead of training.
“You guys are a joke. Party is fun,” Sabalenka said. “Like, 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, you think that I’ve been partying and not training? I’m saying, what is that question?”
Ahead of the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka partnered with Moroccanoil, Wilson Tennis, Beats by Dre, and Dobel Tequila.
