Aryna Sabalenka made a humorous gesture to the Arthur Ashe crowd ahead of her US Open 2024 semifinal match. The 26-year-old, who was the runner-up at last year’s US Open, is determined to clinch the Grand Slam title this year. Sabalenka defeated China’s Qinwen Zheng in straight sets, 6-1 6-2, during her quarterfinal match at Arthur Ashe Stadium and followed up with a playful proposal to the audience.
Following her victory, Sabalenka offered to pay for drinks for the entire crowd, hoping to secure their support for her next match, which was met with enthusiastic cheers from the fans. This could prove beneficial as she faces local favorite Emma Navarro in the semifinal on Friday.
If the crowd takes up Sabalenka’s offer, it could potentially cost her up to 529,000 dollars. The prize money difference between the semifinalist and finalist is 800,000 dollars, with the singles champion receiving 3.51 million dollars, the runner-up earning 1.8 million dollars, and the semifinalist taking home 1 million dollars.
After her win, Sabalenka remarked, “If you reach the top-five level, everyone sees you as a favorite.” She added, “But as I always say, it’s not about being the favorite; it’s about how hard you’re willing to fight for it. It’s going to be about those tough moments in matches when you don’t feel your best and you have to push through.”
Sabalenka, in sizzling form against Zheng, has lost only four service games throughout the tournament leading up to the semifinals. She aims to add another Grand Slam title to her two Australian Open trophies after finishing as the runner-up to Coco Gauff in last year’s US Open final.
