Sabalenka tries to recruit fans at US Open: 'Drinks on me'

Associated PressSeptember 04, 2024 - 12:21am

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, pumps her fist during the second set of her match against Zheng Qinwen, of China, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in New York. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP)

NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka joked about a new way to try to sway a crowd to cheer for her during a U.S. Open match: Bribe them with booze.

A year ago, Sabalenka lost to American Coco Gauff in the final at Flushing Meadows as a partisan crowd loudly backed the champion. Now Sabalenka will face another American, Emma Navarro, in the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday.

So after her victory in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, Sabalenka was asked by on-court interview Pam Shriver what she might do “to try and get a few more people on your side?”

Sabalenka chuckled and told the folks in Arthur Ashe Stadium: “Drinks on me tonight?”

Then, repeating that offer to the thousands of spectators, Sabalenka added: “Please give me some support in the next match.”

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