Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy has publicly declared that he is done with tennis star Aryna Sabalenka following a perceived slight related to his popular pizza review content.
Portnoy, 49, revealed on social media platform X that while he is not an avid tennis follower, he had a past connection with the Belarusian player. He stated that Sabalenka had invited him to sit in her player's box for the U.S. Open before she gained widespread recognition. After accepting the invitation, Portnoy claims he asked Sabalenka to participate in a pizza review, to which she initially agreed. However, Portnoy alleges that Sabalenka subsequently became more prominent, associating with figures like hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman, and subsequently reneged on her commitment for the review.
"And then I asked her to do a pizza review and she's like 'Yes. Yes, yes.' And then she got whooshed up into David Grutman in Hollywood and blew me off. So, she was dead to me," Portnoy posted.
Sabalenka, who was ranked world No. 2 at the time Portnoy attended her player's box for the 2023 U.S. Open final, ultimately lost that match to Coco Gauff. She has since ascended to the No. 1 ranking.
Despite Portnoy's declaration, images have surfaced showing the two together at a nightclub months after the U.S. Open final, with Portnoy captioning one photo, "The Queen of Tennis @SabalenkaA." He had also shared posts and information about bets he placed on Sabalenka's matches during her 2023 run.
The dispute over the pizza review appears to be the pivotal point where the relationship soured, particularly with Sabalenka's increased proximity to Grutman, who hosts events at his Miami nightclub, LIV. Sabalenka was among the attendees at a recent U.S. Open welcome party hosted by Grutman, which also included other notable tennis figures.
Portnoy's comments about Sabalenka emerged during a broader critique of the U.S. Open's scheduling. He questioned the tournament's decision to schedule matches that conclude in the early morning hours, citing a recent men's singles quarterfinal match between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz that ended at 3:33 a.m. Eastern Time.
"What is the U.S. Open doing having matches end at 3:30 in the morning? How dumb are you?" Portnoy stated. "Like what are you doing? 3:30 in the morning? I've had this rant in years past. Only the Blutmans [Barstool staffer Liam Blutman] are up and it's a huge match."
He expressed disbelief that spectators could remain attentive for extended matches concluding so late, suggesting it would require artificial stimulation.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka is preparing for the semifinals of the current U.S. Open, where she is scheduled to face American player Jessica Pegula.