New York : Aryna Sabalenka credited her mental toughness and emotional control for her back-to-back US Open triumph, becoming the first player since Serena Williams to achieve consecutive victories at the tournament. The reigning world No. 1 claimed her first major trophy of 2025 and the fourth of her career by defeating American Amanda Anisimova in the final.
After earlier setbacks this season, including losses in the Australian Open and Roland Garros finals, Sabalenka approached the US Open with a renewed focus. “After French Open I figured that, ‘OK, maybe it’s time for me to sit back and look at those finals and learn something. I didn’t want it to happen again and again,’” she said.
Sabalenka admitted she had previously struggled with overconfidence in finals. “I thought that if I made it to the final, it means that I’m going to win it, and I sort of didn’t expect players to fight back. That was a completely wrong mindset. Going into this final, I decided I’m going to control my emotions.”
The Belarusian superstar faced challenging moments in the final, nearly losing composure at critical points. “There were a few moments when I was this close to just letting go. But I told myself, ‘Come on, you cannot do that. You have to stay focused and keep trying,’” she added. Her focus paid off as she converted her third match point when Anisimova’s return went long, sealing a 2-0 victory.
With this second successive US Open title, Sabalenka achieved her 100th Grand Slam main-draw match win and extended her tour-leading annual victories to 56. Over the past three years, she has won four majors, reached three finals, three semifinals, and one quarterfinal, reflecting remarkable consistency at the highest level.
Sabalenka described the win as especially meaningful given her earlier defeats. “Because of the finals earlier this season, this one felt different. I had to overcome a lot to get this one. The hard work we put in meant I deserved a Grand Slam title this season,” she said.
Her emotional reaction after the victory reflected the significance of the achievement. Collapsing to the court and shedding tears, Sabalenka shared, “When I fell, it was true emotions. Defending this title and bringing great tennis on court while handling my emotions means a lot. I’m super proud of myself right now.”
The win cements Aryna Sabalenka’s status as one of the dominant figures in women’s tennis in 2025, showcasing her ability to combine skill, focus, and emotional resilience under pressure.
Also Read : US Open Tennis: Sabalenka Fends Off Kudermetova, Paolini Wins
