'No I didn't say that' - Aryna Sabalenka interrupts interviewer at Wimbledon after 'annoying' comment
Sabalenka came back from a set down to beat Laura Siegemund.
Jack Kenmare
World number one Aryna Sabalenka was eager to set the record straight during her post-match interview on Centre Court as she played down making a comment about Laura Siegemund's game in the build-up.
Sabalenka secured her place in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Tuesday in what was the third-longest match of this year's Championships at two hours and 54 minutes.
The 27-year-old, who dropped her first set of Wimbledon 2025 against Siegemund, recorded a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over the resilient German, who previously described her own game style as "annoying".
And after defending drop shots and slices throughout, that "annoying" quote was wrongly attributed to Sabalenka during her post-match interview with Lee McKenzie, although she was quick to set the record straight.
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McKenzie asked Sabalenka: "You said beforehand that Laura has an annoying game, you meant that in a complimentary way..."
Sabalenka interrupted and explained that it was Siegemund who said it and not her. "No, no, no, I didn't say that," she said. "They asked a question saying that she said that she has an annoying game. I didn't say that, just to make it clear!"
Moments later, McKenzie rephrased the question, adding: "But in a complimentary way, she pushes you to do things that you might not want to do. How true do you have to stay to yourself, and believe in yourself in these moments?"
Sabalenka replied: "It's not like it's an annoying game, it's a smart game. She's really making everyone work against her. Going into the match against her, you know that you have to work for every point.
"It doesn't matter if you're a big server, if you're a big hitter, you have to work, you have to run and you have to earn the win. Honestly, I was just trying to focus on myself and make sure I don't give her that energy.
"I didn't want her to see that I was annoyed or anything by her, even if I was a little bit at some points."
Sabalenka added: "But I was just trying not to give her that energy. She pushed me so much. Honestly, after the first set I was looking at my box and thinking, 'Guys, book the tickets, I think we're about to leave this beautiful city.' She played an incredible tournament and match."
The 27-year-old is on the verge of making her first Wimbledon final, but she will have to beat Amanda Anisimova to get there.