World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is facing criticism from some fans who believe she is dedicating too much time to off-court pursuits, including social media and promotional work, at a time when her top ranking is under threat. The Belarusian player has experienced a dip in form in recent tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals at the French Open and the round of 16 at Wimbledon, followed by a third-round exit at the Canadian Open. Amidst these results, fans have pointed to her continued activity on platforms like TikTok and her YouTube vlog, "Aryna's Arena," as potential distractions. Some comments on her social media posts have urged her to focus more on tennis, with one user suggesting "more tennis and less phone please." Others have expressed concern over endorsements, such as a jewelry partnership, suggesting these are "too many distractions." Sabalenka has also recently appeared on the cover of TIME magazine and engaged in promotional content for sponsors.
The criticism comes as Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan is nearing Sabalenka in the WTA rankings. Rybakina, who defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, is currently just 345 points behind her rival. Rybakina reached the final in Montreal and could potentially overtake Sabalenka if she wins the upcoming tournament in Cincinnati. Sabalenka has fewer ranking points to defend in Ohio, having reached the quarterfinals last year, while Rybakina has more points to defend from her semifinal appearance in 2025. Sabalenka secured a victory in her opening match in Cincinnati, though it required six match points to defeat Talia Gibson.
Sabalenka acknowledged that her No. 1 status means she has a "target on her back," but stated that the pressure is similar regardless of ranking. She expressed a positive outlook on inspiring younger players, whether she is No. 1 or not, emphasizing her focus on personal and professional development. The potential shift in rankings could also extend to the U.S. Open, where Sabalenka is the defending champion. If she does not retain her title in New York, Rybakina could be in a position to claim the No. 1 spot.
Regarding the concerns about her online activities affecting her performance, Sabalenka told TIME that participating in social media, including dance trends on TikTok, has a positive impact on her mental health. She described these activities as a "small getaway" that help her forget about other pressures for a short period. Responding to her critics, she remarked, "Dude, just figure out your own s*** before you jump into others' lives."
Elena Rybakina has numerous chances Stateside to topple Sabalenka's dominant 96-week run at world No1.
During a challenging stretch of the season, Sabalenka has continued sharing episodes of her vlog Aryna's Arena.
Trolls and supporters alike flooded Sabalenka's comments to give their verdict on her output.
