In a light-hearted moment, Aryna Sabalenka humorously suggested a new method to sway the crowd in her favor during her U.S. Open match – by bribing them with booze. The Belarusian tennis player, known for her powerful game on the court, faced a tough loss to Coco Gauff last year in the final at Flushing Meadows with the crowd loudly backing the American champion. Now, Sabalenka is set to take on another American, Emma Navarro, in the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday.
Following her victory in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, Sabalenka was approached by on-court interviewer Pam Shriver who inquired about how she planned to garner more support from the audience. With a chuckle, Sabalenka playfully suggested to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium: “Drinks on me tonight?” She then extended the offer to the thousands of spectators, pleading, “Please give me some support in the next match.”
Sabalenka’s lighthearted comment added a touch of humor to the intense atmosphere of the U.S. Open, showcasing her fun-loving personality off the court. As she prepares to face off against Navarro, Sabalenka’s witty remark may just win over a few more fans in the crowd as they cheer for her in the upcoming semifinal match.
