Aryna Sabalenka attended the press conference ahead of the US Open 2026 and hit back at the reporters for some of the questions. One of the reporters asked her about her recent results, the early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati and the frustration that showed on court. The World Number 1 did not have good results and was visibly frustrated after her loss in both these tournaments. She was asked “Is there anything wrong with your game?” to which Sabalenka replied with “Maybe there’s something wrong with people.” This video went viral on social media. 

A few minutes later the same reporter asked if she still carried the same confidence into this US Open that she had a year ago when she lifted the trophy for the second time. Sabalenka said that she is always confident and went on to explain about that. “That’s the beauty of a sport. Throw tough challenges at me; I will come back only stronger. It wasn’t the best period. I don’t want to defend myself, but, obviously, I just don’t want to talk about that period. I’ve been dealing with several things, but who cares, right? So yeah, I didn’t perform my best.”

“These tough lessons are definitely going to make me way, way stronger. I’m working even harder. I work on my mental side of the game. I was trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger. So it’s only going to make me stronger. It’s only a matter of time for me to come back.” she added 

Sabalenka’s US Open Draw - Projected Path to Finals

Two-time US Open defending champion and World No 1 ranked player Sabalenka will begin her title defence on Monday against Colombia’s Camila Osorio. It’s a first-round match that looks pretty straight forward but could be tricky. If she advances, a potential second-round meeting with Mexico’s Renata Zarazua awaits. The third round could bring former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova. Then comes the possibility of Diana Shnaider in the round of 16 before a quarter-final against Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova. On the other side of that half sits Jessica Pegula, the American who has been excellent in the lead-up events.

 A semi-final against Pegula would set up a final that could feature World Number 2 Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka is a 2 time US Open champion and arrives as the clear favourite to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three straight US Open titles. She is still ranked the Number 1 despite not making a final this season in the lead up. She is well suited on hard courts and all her slam titles have come on this surface. Sabalenka sounded very confident in the press conference ahead of the 2026 US Open.