In a stunning display of mental strength, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has done what no one has done since the great Serena Williams: she has successfully defended her US Open title. After facing heartbreak in two major finals earlier this season, Sabalenka revealed that her hard-fought victory was all about mastering her own emotions and trusting her game.
This win marks Sabalenka’s first Grand Slam trophy of 2025 and the fourth of her incredible career. The path wasn’t easy. After falling to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final and then to Coco Gauff at Roland Garros, Sabalenka knew something had to change. She even faced Amanda Anisimova, her US Open final opponent, earlier this year at Wimbledon, where Anisimova came out on top.
This time, however, Sabalenka flipped the script. She explained that her previous losses taught her a crucial lesson. “After French Open I figured that, ‘OK, maybe it’s time for me to sit back and to look at those finals and to learn something,” Sabalenka said. “I thought that if I made it to the final, it means that I’m going to win it… which was a completely wrong mindset. Going into this final, I decided that I’m going to control my emotions.”
The final wasn’t without its tense moments. Sabalenka admitted there were times she was “this close to just letting go,” but she pushed through, telling herself to stay focused. That perseverance paid off in a massive way.
With this second consecutive US Open crown, Sabalenka also hit a huge career milestone: her 100th Grand Slam main-draw match win. She now leads the tour with an impressive 56 match victories this year. Her consistency over the last three years is remarkable, with four major titles, three runner-up finishes, and three semi-final appearances.
The emotional weight of this specific victory was clear when she collapsed to the court in tears after converting her third match point. “This one felt different,” Sabalenka said. “This one felt like I had to overcome a lot of things… I’m super proud right now of myself.”
For Sabalenka, this US Open win is more than just a trophy; it’s the proof that her tough lessons and hard work have finally culminated in a triumphant and well-deserved moment at the top of the tennis world.
