Even though Aryna Sabalenka is just 26 years old, she has faced greater challenges than many tennis players face throughout their entire lives. Some of them had played on the court, where it appeared at times that she did not have the mental strength to match her powerful shots.
For the fourth consecutive year, she reached at least the semi-final at the US Open in New York’s Flushing Meadows. In 2021, she was upset by unseeded Canadian player Leylah Fernandez. One year later, Poland’s Iga Swiatek made a comeback from losing a set to defeat Sabalenka. She would continue on to win the trophy.
Sabalenka won the US Open final 7-5, 7-5
In 2023, Sabalenka, hailing from the Belarusian capital of Minsk, reached the final and easily won the first set 6-2. However, Coco Gauff from the USA, supported by a loud home audience, came back strongly to win by losing only five more games.
During Saturday night, the majority of the packed audience once again showed their support for Jessica Pegula, her opponent. However, despite the home favourite’s strong effort, Sabalenka displayed superior power and skill at crucial moments.
Also read: US Open: Jessica Pegula to face Aryna Sabalenka for the title
Sabalenka clinched her second title of the year
“I’m speechless,” she said after clinching her second Grand Slam title of the year, and third overall. “I remember all the tough losses here. They say you’re going to see the reason later. I see the reason right now. That’s why it’s very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger and I was learning. I never gave up on this dream.”
Her recent win at the US Open, in addition to successfully defending her Australian Open title earlier this year, establishes her among prestigious players.
Even the great Serena Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, couldn’t claim victory in both hard-court tournaments within the same year. In 2016, only Angelique Kerber from Germany achieved this feat in the 21st century. Prior to that, you had to look all the way back as Steffi Graf (1988, 1989), Monica Seles (1991, 1992), and Martina Hingis (1997).
