Aryna Sabalenka was drawn into a sharp exchange with a journalist after her second-round US Open victory, following a question that appeared to link her tournament preparation with partying.

The world No 1 arrived in New York under some scrutiny. Several pundits had backed her to struggle to defend her title after a recent dip in form, including early defeats at both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open. Instead, she has made a strong start to her campaign, backing up a two-set win over Camila Osorio with a one-sided 6-1, 6-1 dismissal of qualifier Polina Iatcenko on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The flashpoint came in the post-match press conference, when Sabalenka took issue with a question about her mood and the run-up to the event. She believed the line of questioning suggested she had been partying too much and was not properly focused on tennis.

The exchange quickly grew tense.

Journalist: “I’m sort of curious. How are you finding like your mood once… now that the tournament has started? Obviously last week it’s lots of parties and fun and stuff like that.”

Sabalenka: “Are you guys like a joke? Party [partying] is fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like what kind of question is that? Like just because I posted like some activities with brands and you think that I’ve been fighting, not training.”

Journalist: “I’m not suggesting that you’re partying. … I’m saying that there are a lot of events and things like that. I’m not saying you go to the parties and that you’re…

Sabalenka: “You literally said that … Next question.”

Jouanlist: “For everyone, for everyone who’s not clear, Aryna I’m not suggesting that Aryna is having fun at these parties. I’m saying that she makes a lot of appearances and there’s a lot to do and lots of events. Okay.”

Sabalenka: “Move on.”

Journalist: “So, now that the tournament started, do you find you’re getting quite serious and combative?”

Sabalenka: “Oh, yeah. I wasn’t serious before that. Next question.”

As another journalist began asking a separate question, Sabalenka added one final remark: “Think before you say stuff, I yeah, sorry. No, not you.”

Sabalenka now moves on to face Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round. She also remains under ranking pressure, with the No 1 spot set to pass to Elena Rybakina if the Kazakh player reaches the semi-final.

Alex Eala has built a strong reputation in doubles as well as singles, with success that began at junior Grand Slam level. She won the 2020 Australian Open doubles title with Priska Madelyn Nugroho and followed it with the 2021 Roland Garros crown alongside Oksana Selekhmeteva.

The 21-year-old has also linked up with a number of well-known partners in recent seasons, among them Coco Gauff, Iva Jovic, and Venus Williams. At the US Open mixed doubles event, she teamed with Felix Auger-Aliassime in a high-profile pairing, though they were unable to get through their opening match.

Eala remains active in the singles draw in New York, where she moved into the second round after defeating Mary Stoiana in straight sets. She is one of the more prominent names in the WTA Tour field and has been speaking to several major media outlets during the tournament.

During an interview with Vogue, Eala was asked to name her dream mixed doubles partner from tennis history. Her answer was direct: “ Rafa Nadal is my dream doubles partner. If I had played with him at any point in my lifetime I’d have to move my feet like I’ve never moved my feet before. It’ll force me to produce some of the best tennis I’ve ever played in my life.”

That connection to Nadal is not new. Eala trained at his academy before making her WTA Tour debut, and after she won her first WTA Tour title in Washington earlier this year, Nadal posted a message congratulating her on social media.

“Congratulations Alexandra! What an incredible week in Washington,” wrote the King of Clay on social media. “A well-deserved title given the hard work. Congratulations to the Philippines and the whole Academy team!”

Her coach, Joan Bosch, also came through the Rafael Nadal Academy, while reports from the US Open indicate Toni Nadal has been working with Eala in practice, focusing on her serve, an area often viewed as her weakest. Even if a doubles partnership with Nadal is not possible, his influence has clearly been part of her rise.

Greg Rusedski has singled out Alex Eala’s latest US Open performance as proof of a player with a significant edge, describing what he called a “dangerous combination” after her first-round victory.

Eala produced a straightforward opening win at the 2026 US Open, defeating world No 122 Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 on Tuesday night in Louis Armstrong Stadium. The 17th seed, ranked world No 18, is attempting to surpass the second-round result she reached during her main draw debut at the tournament last year.

The 21-year-old Filipina has put together a strong stretch on North American hard courts and has now won nine of her past 11 matches. That form drew praise from Rusedski, who discussed her on his Off Court With Greg Rusedski podcast after the match.

“Well, she’s the biggest superstar in the women’s game. No question about it, at the moment. I mean, she’s box office,” said the 1997 US Open finalist.

Rusedski said Eala’s response to pressure stood out, particularly in the way she carried herself in her press conference after the closed-roof match. He also noted her focus on improving her serve and the increase in her service speed numbers, pointing to a player who is still developing while already excelling on a major stage.

“She talked about working on her serve and improving her serve. How her service speed numbers have gone up as well. So, she’s continually looking to get better and she likes a big stage.

“It was an impressive performance in her opening round, and she’s only going to go from strength to strength. And what I like about her, she’s got that humbleness and that confidence, and that’s a dangerous combination.

“So, from my point of view, I’m looking like she’s on a crash course to meet Coco Gauff in the fourth round, and possibly become the first Filipina to be in the quarter-finals of major. She’s playing that well.

“I was impressed with her movement, her return of serve, her groundstrokes. She was impressive.

“But before we get ahead of that, she’s got [Iva] Jovic in her section, as well, who she played like a little exhibition match with.”

The former British No 1 also said Eala’s visibility in New York reflects her growing popularity, adding that her presence across the city and in campaigns shows her broad appeal. For Rusedski, she is not only a player in form, but one who is becoming increasingly central to the event’s conversation.