US Open defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is making headlines this week not just for advancing in the tournament, but for a sharp exchange with a reporter at her pre-match press conference. A single question left her visibly annoyed, and she cut the reporter off mid-sentence. It is far from the first time a woman athlete has lost her cool over a media question. From tennis courts to shooting ranges and wrestling arenas, several leading women athletes have reacted this way before.
Why Sabalenka Got Angry
At the press conference, a reporter suggested that Sabalenka had been partying and having fun in the run-up to the tournament. The question set her off immediately, and she interrupted the reporter before he could finish. She shot back, "Just because I posted some activities with brands, do you think I was partying instead of training?" Her point was that photos she had posted for brand promotions on social media were being misread as evidence of partying, when in reality she had been training all along.
Manu Bhaker Asked About Cricket Instead Of Shooting
Something similar happened recently with India's Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker. She was addressing the media at a shooting event, but a reporter skipped questions about shooting altogether and instead asked her about cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Bhaker answered calmly, but the moment the exchange surfaced, sports fans and former athletes reacted sharply. Many pointed out that Indian media often sidelines Olympic medallists and top athletes from other sports, dragging cricket into the conversation regardless of the occasion.
Vinesh Phogat And Sakshi Malik's Anger
In 2023, Indian wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik lost their patience with reporters at a press conference held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The press conference had been called over sexual harassment allegations against the then chief of the Wrestling Federation of India. Instead of sticking to the issue at hand, journalists repeatedly asked the wrestlers about their medals, political leanings and protest methods. Hurt by the line of questioning at what was meant to be a serious press conference, Vinesh and Sakshi openly accused the media of bias.
PV Sindhu Voiced Her Frustration
Star Indian shuttler PV Sindhu was going through a phase of poor form when reporters at a press conference pressed her with direct questions about retirement, her dip in form, and changing her coaching staff. Faced with a barrage of such questions, Sindhu made her displeasure clear, saying that ups and downs are a natural part of any athlete's career. She added that instead of repeatedly focusing on the negatives, the media should try to understand the hard work and struggle behind an athlete's journey.
Serena Williams's Sharp Comebacks
Tennis legend Serena Williams has openly lashed out at media questions on several occasions. Particularly after losing matches, when she was asked provocative or offensive questions about gender bias, her clothing, or retirement, she gave reporters a tough response on the spot. On some occasions, she was angry enough to walk out of press conferences midway.
Sania Mirza Called Out Double Standards
India's tennis star Sania Mirza has also lost her temper over certain media questions. After she became a mother, she was asked whether she would now retire from tennis, a question she flatly rejected. She said bluntly that as a woman athlete, she was constantly asked such double-standard questions, while male athletes were never asked similar things about their families or retirement. Even earlier, in 2005, Sania had walked out of a press conference in Kochi after being asked inappropriate questions.
Naomi Osaka's Emotional Exit
Japan's star tennis player Naomi Osaka once walked out of a press conference midway as well. The incident took place during a virtual press conference at the Cincinnati Open, where she was asked why she avoided speaking to the media even as she made full use of media platforms for her commercial benefit. The question left Osaka visibly emotional, and she left the press conference midway.
