Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her 2026 US Open title defense with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. However, the top seed’s on-court performance has had to share the spotlight with intense scrutiny from all sides, amid questions about the recent dip in form, her busy off-court lifestyle, and her polarizing fashion choices.
Aryna Sabalenka Addresses Critics and Media Pressure After Winning US Open Opener
Sabalenka’s season got off to a strong start after reaching the Australian Open final and completing the Sunshine Double with titles in Indian Wells and Miami. However, her momentum slowed as the tour moved to clay.
She has now gone seven tournaments without reaching a final, including fourth-round exits at Wimbledon, the Canadian Open, and the Cincinnati Open. As a result, her World No. 1 ranking is under threat from Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula. To remain at the top, Sabalenka must win a third consecutive US Open title.
The pressure was evident during her pre-tournament press conference. When a reporter pointed to her frustration in Cincinnati and asked whether there was “anything wrong” with her game, the 28-year-old responded sharply: “Maybe there’s something wrong with people.”
After her first-round win against Osorio, when a journalist questioned whether her packed schedule of off-court events could affect her performance, Sabalenka shut down the idea that her brand commitments were a distraction.
“It’s like my hobby outside of tennis,” Sabalenka said. “The whole schedule we plan is all around tennis. So all of those events are not drawing me in any way. And all the people that I work with, all the brands that 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 surrounded by them.
“So I’m really enjoying my time with my brands, with people who work there, and I have fun. It’s like my hobby outside of my tennis schedule, and it actually gives me so much energy,” said the Belarusian.
Aryna Sabalenka in U.S. Open press after her 1st round win
Aryna: “What is the question there?”
“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..”
Aryna: “Why do you think the week before I wasn’t focused on… pic.twitter.com/rWVeeZVxdo
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 31, 2026
It was not just Sabalenka’s recent results and off-court brand events that drew criticism. Her Nike US Open outfit, a black mesh dress over a bright orange sports bra and shorts, also drew significant backlash from fans who believe it’s inappropriate and not suitable for the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Her custom 127-carat “Silhouette Suite” jewelry from Material Good, which she wears on court, also drew mixed reactions. The outfit and jewelry became topics of discussion during her pressers in New York.
In her post-match talk with Sky Sports, Sabalenka made it clear that she no longer wants to pay attention to the outside noise.
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“Honestly, it took me a little while to shut down those noises,” she said. “I’m so tired of those miserable haters. Whoever loves me, they’re going to be there for me no matter what. Haters, honestly, I don’t want to curse here right now, but they can go and have fun with their own lives.”
While Sabalenka continues to face criticism from fans and the media, she remains focused on her US Open campaign. The World No. 1 will face 22-year-old Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko in the second round.
