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 opened her US Open campaign with an uncomplicated straight-sets victory over American Mary Stoiana, dropping only three games to move into the second round. Her next assignment comes against Oleksandra Oliynykova.

The result itself was straightforward. The wider reaction around Eala’s first-round match, however, was not. Ticket pricing for Louis Armstrong Arena became a talking point after surge pricing pushed costs sharply higher for fans wanting to see the 21-year-old in action.

Before Eala faced Stoiana, a ticket for Louis Armstrong Arena was listed at $146. By the time of her match on the showcourt, that figure had risen to $342. That represented a 134% increase. The average purchase price for the match was $438, which was 87% more than the average price for other matches at the tournament so far.

Eala’s rise over the summer has made her one of the most popular players on the WTA Tour, and her support has been especially visible during 2026. Her popularity has also helped several tournaments during the year, particularly in the Middle East and on the North American hardcourt swing. Tournament directors for the Washington Open, the Canadian Open, and the Cincinnati Open have all praised her for drawing larger crowds than usual.

That is why the pricing approach at the US Open has drawn criticism. For many followers, the concern is not simply the cost, but the likelihood that loyal fans will be priced out of seeing one of the tour’s most followed players.

Eala is scheduled to play Oliynykova on Thursday, 3rd September’s order of play, with the exact time and court still to be confirmed. She is expected to appear on one of the two showcourts, with Louis Armstrong Arena or Arthur Ashe Stadium the likely options.

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.