Aryna Sabalenka pushed back at a reporter after being questioned about her pre-tournament activities following her dominant second-round victory at the US Open.
The world No. 1 had just defeated Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 when Matt Futterman of The Athletic asked how her mood had changed since the tournament began, describing the previous week as involving 'lots of parties and fun and stuff like that.'
Sabalenka immediately challenged the suggestion that she had spent the build-up to the tournament partying, explaining that the activities she had shared publicly were connected to brand commitments rather than nights out.
'You guys are, like, a joke,' Sabalenka responded. 'Parties, fun... like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? What kind of question is that?'
She went on to question why appearances with sponsors had been interpreted as evidence that she was not training, making clear that she took issue with the premise of the question.
Did the Reporter Suggest Sabalenka Was 'Partying, Not Training'?
Futterman tried to walk it back, insisting he was not suggesting she had been partying, only that she had made a lot of appearances around the tournament.
Sabalenka was not buying it. 'You literally said that,' she shot back, refusing to let him rewrite the question after the fact. When he tried once more to clarify himself, she cut him off with a flat, 'OK. Move on,' before landing a final line as the room moved to the next question: 'Think before you say stuff.'
Aryna Sabalenka doesn't think about potentially losing the World No.1 ranking 🫣
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) September 6, 2026
↳ US Open. Every Match. Live & On Demand.#StanSportAU #USOpen pic.twitter.com/6TwvKkjCGk
Sabalenka had a packed schedule of brand appearances and events, including luxury and lifestyle partners, ahead of the tournament, standard sponsor work for a world number one.
Attending brand activations and posting about them isn't a lapse in discipline; it's a contractual obligation that top players fulfil between matches. Futterman later said Sabalenka and her agent reached out to apologise for the tone of her response, which he said he appreciated, but he never withdrew the framing that sparked it.
She and her agent actually texted me to apologize, which I appreciated.
— Matt Futterman (@MattFutterman) September 3, 2026
Do Male Tennis Stars Face the Same Sponsor Scrutiny?
That double standard is fuelling the backlash. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner carry enormous endorsement portfolios, reportedly worth tens of millions between them, spanning Nike, Rolex, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
The media cover their sponsorship work as a mark of stardom, not a distraction. Neither has faced a press conference question over whether a campaign shoot cost him focus mid-tournament. Sabalenka fulfils the same kind of obligations and got accused, however indirectly, of prioritising fun over her forehand.
Why Does Sabalenka Keep Facing These Questions?
The Futterman exchange wasn't an isolated case. After her first-round win over Camila Osorio, Sabalenka had already used a press conference to push back against what she called 'miserable haters' picking apart her form.
Days later, Futterman followed up by asking whether she'd become more 'serious and combative' now that the tournament was underway. This question highlighted a recurring theme: she was being asked to explain not only her mood and personality but also how they might relate to her performance in tennis.
Sabalenka began her title defence with a solid 6-2, 6-4 win over Osorio, followed by a quick 6-1, 6-1 victory against Iatcenko. She now faces Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round as she seeks her third straight US Open title after winning in 2024 and 2025, showcasing her focus and dominance.
If a dominant champion must defend routine sponsor work as proof of professionalism while male peers receive praise for the same achievements, it highlights the need to shift perspective.
