NEW YORK (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka walked away from the U.S. Open in tears last year after finishing as the runner-up. In the two years prior, she faced tough semifinal losses that were hard for her to handle. However, on Saturday, Sabalenka was in a lighthearted mood after winning her first championship at Flushing Meadows and her third Grand Slam title overall.
As the No. 2 seed, Sabalenka defeated No. 6 Jessica Pegula with scores of 7-5, 7-5 in an exciting final held under a closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She showcased her powerful game while adding some tactical variety to secure her victory, following her recent triumphs at the Australian Open in the previous two seasons.
“I learned a lot of tough lessons here… especially last year,” said Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, referring to the way she rallied at the end of both the first set and the match. “In those challenging moments (on Saturday), I focused on staying strong and reminded myself that I’ve overcome a lot, and I’m capable of handling the pressure.”
During her press conference, seated next to the U.S. Open trophy, Sabalenka spoke about the many challenges she faced off the court. She mentioned her father’s death in 2019, the loss of a former boyfriend in March, and a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon just before it started this July.
“After my father passed away, my goal has always been to put our family name in tennis history,” she shared. “Every time I see my name on that trophy, I feel so proud of myself, and I’m grateful for my family’s support in pursuing my dreams.”
In addition to her personal struggles, she was also motivated by her past defeats at the U.S. Open, including semifinal losses in 2021 to Leylah Fernandez and in 2022 against No. 1 Iga Swiatek. The most emotional moment was last year when she lost to Coco Gauff after leading in the match and facing a tumultuous crowd. This time, the audience was much more supportive, cheering for her efforts and responding positively when she encouraged them to cheer louder.
After extending her winning streak to 12 matches, Sabalenka expressed her gratitude to the fans for their support, humorously noting that her earlier comment about “Drinks on me” after a previous victory was probably a coincidence.
The atmosphere on Saturday was also filled with lighthearted moments. After her coach, Anton Dubrov, received a smaller version of the champion’s trophy for his contribution, Sabalenka joked that it looked “sad” compared to the real trophy. She laughed and added that if they both celebrated with drinks from their respective trophies, “I’ll definitely have a worse hangover than you.”
Pegula, who hails from New York and whose parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, participated in her first major final at the age of 30. She had been on a winning streak, winning 15 of her previous 17 matches leading up to the final, with both losses coming at the hands of Sabalenka.
“Everyone tells me, ‘Congrats! Amazing tournament!’ but I’m just like, ‘Eh, whatever,’” Pegula remarked modestly.
Despite initially trailing, Pegula did not give up. After Sabalenka surged with five straight games to win the first set and take a 3-0 lead in the second, Pegula displayed her frustration by hitting a ball against the video screen, sending a panel flying. This seemed to shift the momentum as she then won five games in a row to take a 5-3 lead. However, when she served for the set at 5-4, she allowed Sabalenka to break back.
“She played some big tennis in crucial moments,” acknowledged Pegula.
Known for her expressive body language, Sabalenka initially seemed conflicted as she struggled against Pegula, who had previously ousted Swiatek in the quarterfinals. Even while falling behind, Sabalenka maintained her composure, focusing on her breath, while celebrity athletes like Stephen Curry, Lewis Hamilton, and Noah Lyles watched from the stands.
Once she found her rhythm and unleashed her powerful forehand shots—clocking in as the fastest of the tournament—it was clear that the match’s outcome was in her hands. By the end, Sabalenka’s stats reflected her dominance: she hit 40 winners compared to Pegula’s 17 and had more unforced errors at 34 versus Pegula’s 22. Despite controlling most of the rallies, Sabalenka mixed it up with occasional drop shots and clever volleys.
“I was glad that I was able to fight back and create chances for myself, but in the end, it wasn’t enough,” said Pegula.
Sabalenka did display frustration at one point in the match. At 5-all in the first set, she double-faulted and was faced with a break point, leading her to slam her racket on the court several times in frustration. It appeared to work; she saved that break point, won the game, and then broke Pegula to clinch the opening set.
Unlike last year, when she squandered a similar lead against Gauff, or against Swiatek the year before, Sabalenka did not let this opportunity slip away.
“In that second set, honestly, I was just praying,” Sabalenka reflected, happily collecting a hefty winner’s check of $3.6 million. “I was literally standing there and praying.”
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