A journalist stirs up controversy with Sabalenka: "Do you think I wasn't focused on tennis?"
The world number one expressed her discontent when questioned about her concentration over the past few weeks.
Aryna Sabalenka has had a smooth day at the office in her debut at the US Open 2026. However, everything went awry in the subsequent press conference, where she had a confrontation with a journalist who questioned her about her lack of concentration in recent weeks. Despite the world number 1 responding to the question with great respect, the tension was palpable.
Aryna Sabalenka in U.S. Open press after her 1st round win
Aryna: “What is the question there?”
“I’m curious, you had so much going on last week. Now it’s just focus on tennis and there’s a bit of pressure..”
Aryna: “Why do you think the week before I wasn’t focused on… pic.twitter.com/rWVeeZVxdo— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 31, 2026
It is true that Sabalenka is going through a serious crisis in her game and results. In recent weeks, she has seen Elena Rybakina closing in on her in the rankings and is about to take the number 1 spot at the US Open, which has generated extra pressure for the Belarusian. However, if there is one thing Aryna cannot be accused of, it is competitiveness, as whether things go well or poorly for her, she has always shown an example of leaving everything on the court even though she has had a mental block with her tennis lately.
"I’m curious, with the week leading up to the US Open, there are so many events and other things that can be quite exhausting physically. Besides being the top seed and one of the favorites, how do you balance your energy, especially with the energy that New York brings to your tennis? And then, looking ahead to the next two weeks, how do you maintain a consistent level of energy?" asked the journalist, implying that she might be unfocused. "What is the question there?" a surprised Sabalenka replied, while the journalist said again, "Last week you had so much to do, and now you just have to focus on tennis, and there’s a bit of pressure."
Sabalenka keeps her cool despite the anger
At that moment, Sabalenka went from smiling to serious and answered candidly. "Do you think that last week I wasn’t focused on tennis? It’s like my hobby outside of tennis; our entire calendar revolves around it, so none of those events appeal to me at all. And all the people I work with, all the brands I collaborate with, I choose them very carefully. I have to feel really comfortable with them so I don’t drain my energy. So I really enjoy the time I spend with my brands and the people who work there. I have fun. It’s like my hobby outside of my tennis schedule, and it gives me a lot of energy," she concluded.
A moment of tension that is not usual for Aryna during her press conferences, where she is always cheerful and smiling. However, at this US Open, she is defending her title; it is her last chance to avoid leaving empty-handed in Grand Slams in 2026 and there are high chances she could leave New York without the number 1. A series of circumstances that make her snap at the slightest, especially with such unfortunate and out-of-context questions, where she is entirely justified in being serious.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Un periodista la lía con Sabalenka: "¿Crees que no estaba centrada en el tenis?"