An irritated Aryna Sabalenka lashed out at an award-winning New York Times sportswriter on Wednesday over a question following her latest US Open victory.
Following a dominant 6-1, 6-1 second-round victory over Polina Iatcenko, Sabalenka was asked by Matthew Futterman about her recent sponsorship obligations heading into the 2026 tournament.
‘How are you finding your mood now that the tournament has started?’ asked Futterman, who now works for the New York Times-owned website, The Athletic. ‘Obviously last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that.’
The two-time reigning US Open champion was in no mood.
‘You guys are like a joke,’ she said. ‘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?’
Futterman quickly tried to explain that he wasn’t suggesting she was partying (‘I’m saying there are a lot of events and things like that’), but Sabalenka disagreed.
Aryna Sabalenka talks to the media after defeating Polina Iatcenko in the second round
Futterman, seen here in 2016, said he did not mean to suggest Sabalenka was unfocused
‘You literally said that,’ she said.
Futterman then pleaded his case to the fellow reporters on hand at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: ‘For everyone who’s unclear, I’m not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties. I’m saying she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do.’
Again, Sabalenka was unimpressed and simply responded by saying ‘OK.’
Still not defeated, Futterman made one final attempt to ask Sabalenka about her transition from celebrity endorser back into athlete-mode.
‘Now that the tournaments started, do you find you’re getting quite serious and combative?’ he asked
‘Oh yeah, I wasn’t serious before that,’ she said. ‘Next question.’
And just in case she hadn’t made herself clear, Sabalenka added one last dig: ‘Think before you say stuff.’
The Daily Mail has sought further comment from Futterman.
Next up for Sabalenka is another Russian, Kamilla Rakhimova, in the third round on Friday in Queens.
Wednesday’s exchange followed what had been a successful day for Sabalenka, who has faced criticism from trolls over her choice of Nike-designed outfits in the tournament.
The world No. 1 has turned heads by wearing a black basketball-inspired ensemble at the open
The world No. 1 has turned heads at Flushing Meadows after wearing a black basketball-inspired ensemble that left her electric orange sports bra and matching briefs completely exposed during the mixed doubles.
The two-time reigning singles champion then donned a similar outfit in Queens on Monday, only this time completely in bright orange, when she beat Camila Osorio 6-4, 6-4 to begin her 2026 run in Flushing.
But for her second round match on Arthur Ashe on Wednesday, Sabalenka returned to the court in a black ensemble. However this time, her sports bra and matching briefs were also black.
After Monday night’s eye-catching orange look, Sabalenka explained the change was because sponsor Nike actually developed day and night versions of the outfit for her to wear during the tournament.
‘To be honest, I didn’t know that I have a day dress,’ she said. ‘I thought I have a black dress with orange underneath. I figured [out] when I went to Nike that I actually have day session and night session, which is just like black and orange for the day.’
Tennis fans were quick to slam the risque outfit that Sabalenka wore during the mixed doubles event with Djokovic, although she did not back down from criticism.
‘Who cares what people think?’ she told reporters at Flushing Meadows on Friday’s media day, adding: ‘I love it.’
