Published: 05:40 BST, 3 September 2026 | Updated: 09:05 BST, 3 September 2026
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 was not happy with a question she received during her U.S. Open press conference, ‘Think before you say stuff’“How are you finding your mood now that the tournament has started? Obviously last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that..”Aryna: “You… pic.twitter.com/CPZvShRbSI
Aryna Sabalenka snapped back at journalist Matthew Futterman's question after her US Open win on Wednesday
Sabalenka had attended a number of events following her arrival in New York for the tournament
Futterman, seen here in 2016, said he did not mean to suggest Sabalenka was unfocused
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.
