Aryna Sabalenka calls out reporter after booking date with Madison Keys at China Open
Aryna Sabalenka jokingly dug out a reporter after their line of questioning in her press conference.
Aryna Sabalenka jokingly called out one journalist after “putting pressure” on her ahead of the Belarusian’s upcoming China Open last 16 match with Madison Keys.
World No. 2 Sabalenka is the top seed in Beijing after Iga Swiatek pulled out of the competition, a fact that the 26-year-old was reminded of after her 6-2, 6-2 win over Ashlyn Krueger.
She has won 14 matches in a row, a streak that started during her run to the title in Cincinnati and also included winning the US Open in a strong hardcourt season that is continuing in Asia.
Victory over Keys will equal her career-best 15 consecutive victories and she is considered one of the favourites for the title. She was asked about the pressure that comes with being the top seed at her post-match press conference and seemingly was not impressed with the question.
“You’re the one who’s putting pressure on me,” Sabalenka said, laughing. “Before, like, this question come up, I didn’t even think about that.
“I don’t know. Maybe like in the past it was some sort of pressure. Nowadays, I’m not focusing on that. It’s just the ranking. You can be world No. 1, and if you’re not bringing your best tennis, like, you’re not going to win the match.
“Every time you’re on the court, you have to bring your best tennis. If it’s not the best tennis, you have to fight for every point.”
Sabalenka is no stranger to being a top seed, but has won just two of the 18 tournaments she has held that title in. She again thanked a reporter for reminding her of the situation she hopes to improve in.
“Nowadays I’m just trying to focus on myself, on improving myself every day, and staying calm on court, just trying to bring my best fight spirit on court,” she said. “Yeah, it’s all about that I think. Yeah, I’m not focusing on that.
“But, I mean, right now because you asked this question, I’m going to think about that. Oh, my God, I need to get better in that stat. Thank you. No, I’m kidding.”
Sabalenka also admitted, in frightening news for her rivals, that she is not even playing at her best currently and can take her game to even higher levels.
“Maybe right now I’m not playing my best, best tennis,” she added. “But I think the way I’m controlling my emotions and the way I’m holding myself sometimes really helping me to stay in most of the matches, in those difficult situations to keep fighting and keep playing my best tennis.
“I played so many tournaments in China and I played really well in most of them. The stats are impressive in China. I can assume it’s the fried rice that probably does that magic.
“I love playing in China. I love the conditions. I love the crowd. It’s really great atmosphere. It feels like the tennis community became bigger here, more people watching us play. It’s really amazing to see.”
