Aryna Sabalenka has commenced her campaign at the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open with a dominant victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round, following her first-round bye. However, the post-match discourse has not focused on her stellar performance but rather on her on-court interview, as tennis fans have voiced their frustration with the questions posed to the world No. 1.
How Aryna Sabalenka Responded to Questions Involving Roger Federer at the Berlin Open
Following her 6-4, 6-4 victory over Alexandrova, Sabalenka took part in her post-match interview and was asked about whether she woke up each day appreciating how wonderful life is as the world No. 1.
“How often do you wake up in the morning and you think, ‘I’m No. 1 in the world. Life is terrific,'” the interviewer asked.
However, Sabalenka, who has spent 95 weeks at the top spot, made it clear that her focus is less on her status and more on finding ways to improve, as she refuses to rest on her laurels.
“Never. I think if I would wake up like that I wouldn’t be world No. 1 for so many weeks. I wake up every day thinking, ‘Okay how can I improve myself even more so I can stay longer at this position,'” Sabalenka said.
The four-time Grand Slam champion then cast doubt on the interviewer’s reference to a quote he claimed Roger Federer once made about being world No. 1.
“I talked once to Roger Federer and he told me, ‘There’s No. 1 and then there’s everyone else.’ Is he right?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t think he said that,” Sabalenka responded.
When the reporter doubled down, Sabalenka said she did not share that view on the world No. 1’s supremacy, emphasizing that there are no easy matches at the top level of the sport.
“I don’t know. It’s a tough one. but what I can say is that there is definitely no easy matches. What I can say is that the top players, they always look for that little one percent to improve,” the Belarusian said. “Maybe for now, I’m good at this. Maybe I’m a little it better than other girls, which I wouldn’t say to be honest.”
“I think we’re all really tough and I think every time you face anyone, it’s a battle. You have to really bring your best tennis otherwise you’re not gonna get the win, so I wouldn’t agree with that. But probably this is the mentality I should have. I don’t know,” she added.
The reporter then cited another quote he claimed came from Federer, prompting Sabalenka to humorously call out his “tough” questions before explaining what she enjoys most about being at the top of the rankings.
“He also said, ‘I like to be No. 1 because it means that every match, I am the favorite,'” the interviewer asked.
“You really came up here with a very tough question, I have to say. For me, I like to be the one that everyone is chasing. I like to have that target on my back. I love tough challenges and being the favorite means you have that target on your back. Bring it on. I’m ready,” she said.
Sabalenka after beating Alexandrova
“How often do you wake up in the morning and think ‘I’m world #1. Life is terrific.’”
Aryna: “Never. I think if I’d wake up like that I wouldn’t be #1 for so many weeks” 😂
“I talked once to Roger Federer & he told me ‘there’s #1 & there’s… pic.twitter.com/XNrEjaA6ei
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 17, 2026
The interview drew strong criticism from tennis fans, many of whom denounced the “uncomfortable” and “bizarre” line of questioning.
“Awful awful interviewer. Super uncomfortable,” one fan wrote.
“What kind of “questions” are these, what is she supposed to say 🤔,” another fan said.
“bizarre questions. who is he?” a fan asked.
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Others, meanwhile, applauded Sabalenka for the way she navigated the awkward exchange, noting that she avoided appearing arrogant.
“That reporter is really trying to make her look arrogant. Good for her not to take the bait,” a fan commented.
“Silly questions from the interviewer. She actually handled it well,” said another.
Up next, Aryna Sabalenka will square off against Nikola Bartůňková in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event in Berlin. Bartůňková secured a 6-1, 6-4 win over Elise Mertens to set up her first meeting with the world No. 1.
