
via Imago
Image Credits- Imago

via Imago
Image Credits- Imago
World Number 1, Aryna Sabalenka, is enjoying the best season of her tennis career. Earlier this year, she won the Australian Open title, her maiden Grand Slam victory. Subsequently, she had a consistent run across the tournaments, winning the Madrid Open. However, despite reaching the finals of the US Open, Sabalenka had mixed emotions from that tournament. It was regarding her rumored relationship with the Barstool Sports founder, Dave Portnoy. As their pictures went viral after the two met recently, fans had varied reactions to it.
Sabalenka had invited Portnoy to be in her player’s box during the final of the US Open against Coco Gauff. However, he had prior commitments and declined her request. As a result, his recent meeting with Sabalenka hasn’t gone down well with the fans.
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Fans react to the recent meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Dave Portnoy
Daily Mail reported Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy’s meeting with Sabalenka after he had declined her US Open request. The former shared the article on his official Twitter handle, saying, “The new dynamic duo of the tennis.” However, his meeting with Sabalenka wasn’t taken well by the fans as he had declined to be with her during the US Open final that she lost.

via Getty
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – SEPTEMBER 09: Aryna Sabalenka (L) speaks after women’s singles final match against Coco Gauff (not seen) at US Open Championships at Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York on September 9, 2023. Gauff won over Aryna Sabalenka in three sets, it was her first-ever Grand Slam win. (Photo by Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Reacting to this, one of the fans said, “Just like Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King back in the day… Or literally not like that in any way.”
Just like Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King back in the day… 😏
Or literally not like that in any way.#USOpen #WTA
— Jack Dent (@JackDentsTweets) October 21, 2023
Further, another Twitter user mentioned, “You can tell she’s clearly creeped out by your presence.”
You can tell she’s clearly creeped out by your presence.
— Aaron (@RetVetBGSU) October 21, 2023
Meanwhile, some fans predicted Sabalenka’s emotions while meeting him. On this front, one of the fans said, “She looks frightened.”
She looks frightened.
— Storm (@Sooner15207) October 21, 2023
On the other hand, another fan revealed, “She looks miserable.”
She looks miserable
— hehehe (@spuerherofeed) October 21, 2023
One fan wasn’t happy with their meeting, saying, “Business insider said you are dating her and cheating on svetlana.”
Business insider said you are dating her and cheating on svetlana
— iubball (@hoosiers713) October 21, 2023
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All said and done, Portnoy is a huge fan of Sabalenka’s playing style. He once had a special praise for her game.
What has Portnoy said about Sabalenka’s tennis skills?
The Barstool Sports founder is one of Sabalenka’s biggest fans. He is completely in awe of her game. He once went all the way in praising her playing style. Talking about it, he said, “I was animated, I liked watching her, and I kind of fell in love with her style”. Further, he also claimed Sabalenka to be the ‘Queen of Tennis.’
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While the two haven’t made it official, there are rumors that something is brewing up between the duo. However, Sabalenka will look to shift her focus back to tennis as she aims to finish her season on a high by winning the WTA Finals. The season-ending tournament begins later this month.
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