Sabalenka hits back at critics over pre-tournament activities

Ukrainian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka dispatched Poland's Polina Iatsenko in straight sets during their second-round encounter at the US Open 2026, securing a 6-1, 6-1 victory in just 53 minutes on Tuesday.

The commanding performance set up a third-round clash for the top-seeded player, but attention shifted to Sabalenka's preparations when she was questioned about her participation in brand activities and social events ahead of the tournament.

At the post-match press conference, Sabalenka expressed frustration with the line of questioning, clarifying that her involvement in pre-tournament events and brand activities did not come at the expense of her training regimen. "Participating in brand activities doesn't mean I wasn't training," she stated firmly, pushing back against the implication that her off-court commitments had compromised her preparation.

Sabalenka's emphatic response underscored the ongoing tension between players' commercial obligations and their competitive preparations. Her swift elimination of Iatsenko suggested that any concerns about her readiness for the Grand Slam were unfounded, as she continued her pursuit of major tournament success at Flushing Meadows.