He is So Unserious: Facetious Sabalenka Claps Back at Journalist Over ‘Extra Pressure’ Comments After He Claimed…
Belarus’ tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has pointed out a journalist for putting her under pressure during the China Open. The 26-year-old is already regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Poland’s Iga Swiatek and America’s Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka is currently taking part in the China Open, where she booked her place in the fourth round after beating America’s Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2. That win set her up for a mouthwatering contest against another American player — Madison Keys, where she will be looking to equal her career-best record of 15 straight wins.
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The Minsk-born star spoke to the media ahead of the contest where a journalist asked her about the pressure that comes with being the top-seeded player in the competition. In response to that, Sabalenka pointed out that it was the journalist who is putting her under pressure and stated that she never thinks about such things. The current world number two also stated that she is just trying to focus on her job.
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Does Sabalenka’s recent success have traces of Djokovic’s influence?
“You’re the one who’s putting pressure on me,” said laughing Sabalenka. “Before, like, this question come up, I didn’t even think about that. I don’t know. Maybe like in the past it was some sort of pressure. Nowadays, I’m not focusing on that. It’s just the ranking. You can be world No. 1, and if you’re not bringing your best tennis, like, you’re not going to win the match. Every time you’re on the court, you have to bring your best tennis. If it’s not the best tennis, you have to fight for every point. Nowadays I’m just trying to focus on myself, on improving myself every day, and staying calm on court, just trying to bring my best fight spirit on court. Yeah, it’s all about that I think. Yeah, I’m not focusing on that. But, I mean, right now because you asked this question, I’m going to think about that. Oh, my God, I need to get better in that stat. Thank you. No, I’m kidding.”
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Tournament Centre ATP Japan Open 2024: Schedule, all results, Prize Money, Draw and TV Guide
bySamuel Gill
Tuesday, 01 October 2024 at 15:49
The Japan Open in Tokyo also known as Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships will take place between 25 September – 1 October 2024 and our handy Tournament Centre gives you everything you need to follow this tournament. Featuring Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas among others, it features many of the stars involved in last week’s Laver Cup as they begin their Asian hardcourt swing.
With the Shanghai Masters on the horizon, the road towards the end of the season starts now with Japan one of two tournaments taking place over the next week.
Prize Money
This year, the winners will earn less. There is $1,818,380 on offer. This is 10% less than 2023. For sealing the title, it is $340,010 which equates to £255,306 and €304,295. This is 9.7% down on last year. Click here to read the full prize money and points breakdown.
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PRIZE MONEY ATP Japan Open 2024 with $1,818,380 for grabs. 10% less than 2023
Schedule/Results (1 October)
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (10-01)
Colosseum
Final – Final
Ugo Humbert
7 6 3
Arthur Fils
5 7 6
Schedule/Results (30 September)
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (09-30)
Colosseum
Semifinal – Final
Ugo Humbert
6 3 6
Tomas Machac
3 6 2
Semifinal – Final
6Holger Rune
6 6
Arthur Fils
7 7
Schedule/Results (29 September)
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (09-29)
Colosseum
Quarterfinal – Retired
Jack Draper
5 1
Ugo Humbert
7 2
Quarterfinal – 3rd
6Holger Rune
3 6 3
Kei Nishikori
6 2 4
Quarterfinal – 9/29 – 7:30 AM EDT
8Ben Shelton
Arthur Fils
Schedule/Results (28 September)
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (09-28)
Colosseum
Round 2 – Final
6Holger Rune
6 6
Yoshihito Nishioka
2 4
Quarterfinal – 2nd
Alex Michelsen
6 1
Tomas Machac
7 1
Quarterfinal – 9/29 – 2:00 AM EDT
Jack Draper
Ugo Humbert
Schedule/Results (27 September)
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (09-27)
Colosseum
Round 2 – Retired
Matteo Berrettini
7 0
Arthur Fils
6 0
Round 2 – Final
Ugo Humbert
6 6
Brandon Nakashima
3 2
Round 2 – Final
Tomas Machac
2 6 7
5Tommy Paul
6 3 6
Round 2 – Final
Alex Michelsen
6 6
Christopher O’Connell
1 4
Round 2 – 1st
Kei Nishikori
4
Jordan Thompson
1
Schedule/Results (26 September)
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (09-26)
Colosseum
Round 1 – Final
Arthur Fils
6 3 6
1Taylor Fritz
4 6 3
Round 1 – Final
Kei Nishikori
6 3 6
Marin Cilic
4 6 3
Round 1 – Final
Jordan Thompson
7 6
3Casper Ruud
6 1
Round 2 – Final
2Hubert Hurkacz
4 4
Jack Draper
6 6
Round 2 – Final
8Ben Shelton
6 6
Mariano Navone
4 3
Kinoshita Group Arena
Round 1 – Final
6Holger Rune
6 5 6
Alejandro Tabilo
2 7 4
Schedule/Results (25 September)
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (09-25)
Colosseum
Round 1 – Final
2Hubert Hurkacz
6 6 6
Marcos Giron
4 7 4
Round 1 – Final
Ugo Humbert
6 6
Shintaro Mochizuki
1 2
Round 1 – Final
Yoshihito Nishioka
7 3 7
Felix Auger-Aliassime
6 6 6
Round 1 – Final
8Ben Shelton
3 6 6
Reilly Opelka
6 1 4
Court 1
Round 1 – Final
Mattia Bellucci
4 2
Jack Draper
6 6
Round 1 – Final
Tomas Machac
6 6 7
Alexei Popyrin
3 7 5
Round 1 – Final
Christopher O’Connell
6 7
Tomas Martin Etcheverry
4 6
Kinoshita Group Arena
Round 1 – Final
Matteo Arnaldi
3 2
5Tommy Paul
6 6
Round 1 – Final
4Stefanos Tsitsipas
6 1 2
Alex Michelsen
4 6 6
Round 1 – Final
Brandon Nakashima
7 6
7Frances Tiafoe
5 3
Schedule/Results Tuesday 24 September
2024 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships (09-24)
Colosseum
Round 1 – Final
Luciano Darderi
4 4
Mariano Navone
6 6
Round 1 – Final
Matteo Berrettini
6 6
Botic Van De Zandschulp
3 4
TV Guide
As ever like other tournaments, the Japan Open can be viewed wherever you are in the world. Our handy TV Guide below gives you all of the info you need.
Follow Fritz, Shelton and Ruud in action over the next week as they aim to seal glory in Japan.
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DRAW Japan Open ATP 2024: Tough draws for Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe
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