Sabalenka blasts reporter over 'parties and fun' question at US Open 2024
Synopsis
Aryna Sabalenka's US Open defence is on track — but it was her press conference, not her 54-minute demolition of Iatcenko, that made headlines. The World No. 1 turned on a reporter who linked her brand sponsorship appearances to 'parties and fun', delivering a blunt dressing-down that underscored just how seriously she is treating her bid for a historic third straight title.
Key Takeaways
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in just 54 minutes to reach the US Open third round on 3 September .
Sabalenka publicly rebuked a reporter who asked about 'parties and fun' in the pre-tournament week, calling the press corps 'like a joke.' The win extended Sabalenka's winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 15 consecutive matches .
She next faces Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan in the third round.
A third straight US Open title would make Sabalenka only the third woman in the Open Era to achieve the feat.
Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion at the US Open, delivered a sharp rebuke to a reporter during her post-match press conference on 3 September after being questioned about her pre-tournament social activities. The World No. 1 had just dismantled Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in 54 minutes to advance to the third round at Flushing Meadows.
The Question That Sparked the Outburst
A reporter opened the press conference by asking Sabalenka about her mood now that the tournament had begun, framing the lead-up week as 'lots of parties and fun and stuff like that.' The remark was a reference to Sabalenka's visible brand sponsorship activities in the days before the tournament.
Sabalenka did not hold back. 'You guys are like a joke. Parties? Fun? 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 and you think that I've been partying?' she said pointedly at the press conference, before turning to those around her and asking, 'what kind of question did he ask?'
Dominant Performance on Court
The outburst came against the backdrop of a commanding display on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Sabalenka needed just 54 minutes to see off 22-year-old Iatcenko, extending her remarkable winning streak in New York to 15 consecutive matches. The scoreline left little doubt about the gap in class between the two players.
'I'm happy with my level. I've been working really hard, but I feel like I'm kind of moving away from trying to be perfect on court,' Sabalenka said, reflecting on the match. 'I know that you cannot be perfect, and I'm just trying to work with what I have right now.'
What Sabalenka Said About Her Focus
Beyond the confrontation, Sabalenka offered a measured assessment of her mental state heading deeper into the draw. 'I'm pretty happy with the level. I'm happy with my focus. I'm happy that I'm able to focus on myself no matter what and being consistent with my focus,' she added, signalling that distractions — including pointed press-room questions — are unlikely to derail her bid.
What's Next: The Historic Triple
Sabalenka will next face Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round. A third consecutive US Open title would place her in rare company — only the third woman in the Open Era to achieve that feat. With her current form and a 15-match winning streak at the venue, she remains the heavy favourite to go deep into the draw once again.
Point of View
Not leisure, and the reporter's framing conflated the two. That said, the exchange also spotlights how top seeds manage narrative pressure at Slams: Sabalenka chose to confront rather than deflect, a calculated signal that she will not allow any distraction — real or imagined — to cloud her title defence. With a 15-match New York winning streak and the historic third title in reach, the stakes are too high for anything less.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Aryna Sabalenka confront a reporter at the US Open 2024?
Sabalenka took exception to a reporter's question that framed her pre-tournament week as 'lots of parties and fun,' a characterisation she rejected. She clarified that the activities were brand sponsorship commitments, not personal partying, and called the question a 'joke.'
What was Sabalenka's result in the US Open second round?
Sabalenka beat Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in just 54 minutes, advancing comfortably to the third round and extending her winning streak at Flushing Meadows to 15 matches.
Who does Sabalenka play next at the US Open 2024?
She will face Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round as she continues her bid for a third consecutive US Open title.
How significant would a third straight US Open title be for Sabalenka?
It would make her only the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open titles, placing her among the most dominant champions in the tournament's history.
What did Sabalenka say about her performance against Iatcenko?
Sabalenka said she was 'happy' with her level and focus, noting she was moving away from chasing perfection and instead working with what she has — a mindset shift she credited for her consistent form.
