Aryna Sabalenka confronts reporter following US Open second round win
12 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka addressed media after her 6-1, 6-1 victory against Polina Iatcenko at the US Open on September 2, 2026. During the post-match press conference, Sabalenka pushed back against a question regarding her recent appearances at off-court brand events. The reporter suggested these activities interfered with her tournament preparation, a premise the player rejected while clarifying her professional obligations. Sabalenka advised the reporter to reconsider the nature of his line of questioning before moving on. The exchange followed a dominant performance that moved the top seed into the next stage of the tournament. Sabalenka noted that she is currently adjusting her approach to competition by focusing less on pursuing perfection during matches.
- •Aryna Sabalenka beat Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 in the second round of the US Open.
- •The reporter questioned Sabalenka about her attendance at recent brand-partner events in New York City.
- •Sabalenka characterized the questioning as disrespectful and linked to unfair perceptions of her preparation.
- •The player stated she is adopting a new mindset of not chasing perfection in her performance.
- 1:45 AMYahoo Sports — Aryna Sabalenka disturbed by weed during US Open match: ‘It’s so strong’
- 9:50 PMFox News — Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka stops US Open match because of overwhelming marijuana stench - Fox News
- 9:26 PMBleacher Report — Aryna Sabalenka Discusses Complaint Over Marijuana Smoke During 2026 US Open Win vs. Rakhimova - Bleacher Report
- 7:02 PMAssociated Press — Aryna Sabalenka complains about the smell of marijuana during her US Open match - AP News
- 6:52 PMUSA Today — Aryna Sabalenka calls for pause in US Open match over marijuana smell - USA Today
- 5:34 PMBBC News — 'It's so strong' - Sabalenka halts play over cannabis smell - bbc.com
- 12:30 AMYahoo Sports — Aryna Sabalenka frustrated by reporter’s question about parties ahead of U.S. Open
- 9:01 PMYahoo Sports — Aryna Sabalenka Snaps at Reporter During US Open Press Conference: ‘Think Before You Say Stuff’
"Aryna Sabalenka is the two-time reigning champion at the U.S. Open and has safely made it through the first two rounds of her run at a threepeat. But after her second-round match against Polina Iatcenko, Sabalenka was asked a question during her post-match press conference that sparked some ire. A reporter asked Sabalenka about her…
"Aryna Sabalenka takes her sport very seriously. After defeating Polina Iatcenko in the second round of the US Open in New York City on Wednesday, September 2, the Belarusian tennis star, 28, was asked by a reporter about her “mood now that the tournament has started,” in a press conference posted on YouTube. “Obviously, last […]
"World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka cruised to a straight set victory over Kamilla Rakhimova to reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 US Open on Friday. Well, there was one hiccup for the reigning back-to-back US Open champion. Early in the first set, Sabalenka walked over to the chair umpire. The broadcast captured her…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 1:45 AMAryna Sabalenka disturbed by weed during US Open match: ‘It’s so strong’
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka cruised to a straight set victory over Kamilla Rakhimova to reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 US Open on Friday. Well, there was one hiccup for the reigning back-to-back US Open champion. Early in the first set, Sabalenka walked over to the chair umpire. The broadcast captured her…
- Fox NewsSep 4, 2026, 9:50 PMTennis star Aryna Sabalenka stops US Open match because of overwhelming marijuana stench - Fox News
Aryna Sabalenka stopped her US Open match to complain about weed smoke, telling the umpire the smell was "so strong" during her third-round win.
- Bleacher ReportSep 4, 2026, 9:26 PMAryna Sabalenka Discusses Complaint Over Marijuana Smoke During 2026 US Open Win vs. Rakhimova - Bleacher Report
Early in her third-round win over Kamilla Rakhimova at the US Open on Friday, Aryna Sabalenka paused the match to complain about the smell of marijuana in the stadium.
- Associated PressSep 4, 2026, 7:02 PMAryna Sabalenka complains about the smell of marijuana during her US Open match - AP News
Aryna Sabalenka finally found something that could stop her at the U.S. Open: the smell of marijuana. The two-time defending champion complained to the chair umpire that it was bothering her early in her third-round victory over Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday. S…
- USA TodaySep 4, 2026, 6:52 PMAryna Sabalenka calls for pause in US Open match over marijuana smell - USA Today
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka had to stop her match against Kamilla Rakhimova because of the overwhelming smell of marijuana at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
- BBC NewsSep 4, 2026, 5:34 PM'It's so strong' - Sabalenka halts play over cannabis smell - bbc.com
Aryna Sabalenka briefly halts her US Open match against Kamilla Rakhimova because of the smell of cannabis before going on to reach the fourth round.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 12:30 AMAryna Sabalenka frustrated by reporter’s question about parties ahead of U.S. Open
Aryna Sabalenka is the two-time reigning champion at the U.S. Open and has safely made it through the first two rounds of her run at a threepeat. But after her second-round match against Polina Iatcenko, Sabalenka was asked a question during her post-match press conference that sparked some ire. A reporter asked Sabalenka about her…
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 9:01 PMAryna Sabalenka Snaps at Reporter During US Open Press Conference: ‘Think Before You Say Stuff’
Aryna Sabalenka takes her sport very seriously. After defeating Polina Iatcenko in the second round of the US Open in New York City on Wednesday, September 2, the Belarusian tennis star, 28, was asked by a reporter about her “mood now that the tournament has started,” in a press conference posted on YouTube. “Obviously, last […]
- HuffPostSep 3, 2026, 1:39 PM'Think Before You Say Stuff': World No. 1 Rages At Reporter In U.S. Open Presser - HuffPost
Aryna Sabalenka put a journalist on the defensive in a blistering attack after her second-round victory.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 1:39 PM'Think Before You Say Stuff': World No. 1 Rages At Reporter In U.S. Open Presser
Aryna Sabalenka put a journalist on the defensive in a blistering attack after her second-round victory.
- New York PostSep 3, 2026, 3:02 AMAryna Sabalenka blows up at reporter in fiery US Open scene: ‘A joke’ - New York Post
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has been fiery on and off the court during this year’s U.S. Open.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 2:55 AMAryna Sabalenka fires back at reporter asking disrespectful question at US Open presser
WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka tells reporter to think about what he is saying after asking a disrespectful question.
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