Aryna Sabalenka, the world No.1, secured her fourth Grand Slam title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final, a victory that felt unlike any other in her career. After falling short in the Australian Open and French Open finals earlier this year, Sabalenka finally overcame her emotional hurdles to lift the trophy once again.
At the post-match ceremony, Sabalenka shared heartfelt advice with Anisimova, who experienced the pain of losing in a major final: “I know how much it hurts. But trust me, when you win your first one, it will feel even better after the tough losses.” Her words reflected her own journey of bouncing back from setbacks to reach the pinnacle of success.
In her press conference, Sabalenka admitted that controlling her emotions had been the toughest battle. “I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one. The hard work we put in this season made me believe I deserved it,” she said.
Earlier in the year, Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon and the finals of Melbourne and Paris but failed to cross the finishing line. Reflecting on those painful losses, she realised that letting emotions dictate her performance was costing her. Determined not to repeat the same mistakes, she took a different approach to her mental preparation.
During a break in Mykonos, she read a book recommended by her friends about mastering emotions and staying calm under pressure. This simple step became a turning point. “That book helped me stay focused on the right things during key points,” she explained. Unlike in the past when she leaned on psychologists, Sabalenka decided to take full responsibility for her mindset.
That transformation showed in New York. Even when Anisimova broke back in the final and the crowd roared in support of the American, Sabalenka’s composure did not waver. She stayed in control, handling the pressure with poise and sealing her well-deserved triumph.
Sabalenka’s US Open victory not only added another major title to her collection but also symbolized her growth as an athlete who has learned to balance mental toughness with emotional discipline. She believes this lesson will guide her in future finals, ensuring she competes with clarity and resilience.
