Capping a season defined by excruciating losses, Aryna Sabalenka found redemption in Queens, clinching the US Open title she felt she was owed. The World No. 1 held her nerve in a tense final against Amanda Anisimova, winning 6-3, 7-6 (3) to finally secure a Grand Slam trophy in a year marked by heartbreak at the final hurdle.
After falling in the Australian Open and French Open finals, this occasion could have been another source of immense anxiety. Sabalenka herself admitted that her career has been driven by her ability to learn from her worst losses. She put those lessons into practice, maintaining her composure even when Anisimova mounted a late comeback in the second set.
The match was a classic power-hitting duel, but Sabalenka played with greater margin and tactical awareness. Eight weeks after losing to Anisimova at Wimbledon, she executed a smarter game plan, pressuring her opponent without overplaying. This disciplined approach was crucial, especially after a shocking smash error nearly derailed her when serving for the match.
“This one felt different,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on her earlier final defeats. “I knew that the hard work we put in… I deserved to have a grand slam title this season.” Her emotional celebration was a release of a season’s worth of frustration, finally replaced by the pure elation of a hard-earned and well-deserved championship.