Barstool’s Dave Portnoy, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka hang in Miami

Tennis Power Duo: Dave Portnoy and Aryna Sabalenka’s Unlikely Friendship Flourishes

In a surprising turn of events, Dave Portnoy and Aryna Sabalenka continue to nurture their budding friendship. While Portnoy couldn’t initially accept Sabalenka’s invitation to be in her coach’s box during the U.S. Open finals against Coco Gauff, the two recently rendezvoused in Miami. Portnoy delightedly shared a snapshot of their encounter on X, accompanied by the caption “The Queen of Tennis @SabalenkaA.”

Portnoy’s admiration for Sabalenka began during the early stages of the U.S. Open. He even made an undoubtedly impactful wager during her semifinals match against Madison Keys. Portnoy documented his exhilarating experience through live tweets and vlogs, as the match swung in Keys’ favor with a dominant 6-0 first-set victory. However, Sabalenka made a stunning comeback, claiming triumph in both the second and third sets through tiebreakers.

Post-match, an ecstatic Portnoy released a video on X at 1 a.m. ET, illustrating his breathless astonishment and declaring his unwavering support for Sabalenka. Describing his victorious bet as “the biggest war I’ve ever been in,” Portnoy confessed his love for the talented athlete while grappling to regain his composure. He even questioned if he could ever place bets on tennis again, being so captivated by Sabalenka’s unparalleled performance.

The following morning, Portnoy discovered a heartfelt message from Sabalenka in his direct-messages, inviting him to witness her monumental finals match against Gauff. Unfortunately, Portnoy had already committed to being in Tuscaloosa for Barstool’s live college football streaming show, preceding the Alabama vs. Texas game. However, he expressed his profound excitement at the missed opportunity in a blog post. Portnoy envisioned the chaos that would have ensued had he been present, wholeheartedly supporting Sabalenka while facing scrutiny for potentially rooting against Gauff, an African-American woman. The internet would have erupted with assumptions and controversies, creating a frenzy that Portnoy would have relished every moment of.

As fate would have it, while Sabalenka won the first set of the finals 6-2, Gauff made an impressive comeback and ultimately claimed the U.S. Open crown. The tennis power duo may not have achieved victory together on that particular occasion, but their friendship continues to thrive.

Source: [The New York Post](https://nypost.com/2023/10/21/barstools-dave-portnoy-tennis-star-aryna-sabalenka-hang-in-miami/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons)

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Jessica Roberts

Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.