The reigning US Open champ, Aryna Sabalenka, flipped the script after a reporter asked about her energy juggling competition and her social calendar.
The World No. 1 — and winner of the past two U.S. Opens — seemed confused when the reporter brought up her busy schedule after her 6-2, 6-4 first-round win over Camila Osorio.
“With the week leading up to the Open there are so many events, and everything, it could be kind of physically draining — on top of being the top seed here and among the favorites. How do you balance the energy especially with the energy New York brings into your tennis — and then looking over the next two weeks, how do you maintain a steady level with your energy,” the reporter said.
“What is the question there?” Sabalenka asked.
“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,” the reporter replied.
Sabalenka asked, “Why do you think the week before I wasn’t focused on tennis?”
“Oh I think you were. I just think you were busy with a lot of events.”
Sabalenka — who attended events for Gucci, Material Good, and Moroccan Oil in New York during US Open fan week — explained that her focus hasn’t wavered with her schedule outside of tennis.
“It’s like my hobby outside of tennis. The whole schedule we plan is all around tennis,” she said. “So all of those events are not drawing me away in any way — and all the people that I work with and the brands I work with I choose them very carefully.
“I have to be really comfortable around those people just so, in that case, I’m not drawing my energy when I’m around them. I’m really enjoying my time… I have fun… It actually gives me so much energy.”
Many were critical of Sabalenka’s social calendar after she was knocked out in the Round of 16 in Toronto, Cincinnati and Wimbledon ahead of the US Open.
After the win on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday, Sabalenka shared a snapshots of her in action while wearing an orange mesh Nike dress.
“New York I’ve missed you & your energy ❤️🔥 happy to be back in ashe,” she wrote.
“I feel like this is one of my favorite stadiums,” Sabalenka told the crowd after the victory. “I really experienced the best emotions here in this stadium.”
Sabalenka will play Polina Iatcenko of Russia in the second round.
