Sabalenka Endures Awkward On-Court Interview After Berlin Win

Aryna Sabalenka's return to Berlin was marked by an uncomfortable on-court interview after her victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova. The interviewer's focus shifted unexpectedly to quotes attributed to Roger Federer, which seemed to disconcert Sabalenka.

Initially appearing unsure, Sabalenka handled the questioning diplomatically, stating that every match is a battle regardless of ranking. The interviewer persisted with Federer's supposed sentiments about being the favorite, prompting Sabalenka to embrace the pressure.

Online, fans largely sided with Sabalenka, criticizing the interviewer for attempting to engineer an awkward moment. Many felt the questions were designed for social media clips rather than genuine conversation and questioned the authenticity of Federer's alleged statements.

This awkward exchange occurred after Sabalenka secured her first Berlin win since the French Open, boosting her 2026 record to 32 wins and 4 losses. She is now set to face Nikola Bartunkova in the quarterfinals.