Aryna Sabalenka’s journey from heartache to triumph culminated in an emotional victory at the US Open. As she fell back onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, her hands covering her face, the line between reality and realization blurred into tears of joy. For the powerful 26-year-old Belarusian, this victory marked the end of a long and challenging road.
Sabalenka had come agonizingly close to US Open glory in previous years. But on Saturday, she wasn’t just near the finish line—she crossed it. Battling against the fierce and determined Jessica Pegula, the world No. 2 showcased her signature blend of thunderous play and mental fortitude. The match was a rollercoaster, with Sabalenka taking early leads, only to see them slip away as Pegula fought back. In the second-set, Pegula, the world No. 6, mounted an impressive comeback, turning a 0-3 deficit into a 5-3 lead. However, Sabalenka, known as the WTA’s hardcourt queen, regained control to secure a 7-5, 7-5 victory.
This triumph extended Sabalenka’s 12-match winning streak and solidified her nearly perfect 27-1 record in the last four Grand Slams on hardcourts, including her Australian Open victories last year and earlier this year. Reflecting on the moment she watched Pegula’s forehand sail long on match point. Sabalenka said, “So many things were going through my mind… All those tough losses in the past. I was so proud of myself and proud of my team that we were able to come back stronger and play better tennis.”
With the trophy in hand, Sabalenka expressed the overwhelming mix of emotions she felt. “You’re crying, you’re laughing, you feel all these emotions at the same time. That’s the best feeling. I really wish everyone could experience that,” she shared.
Throughout the nearly two-hour final, Sabalenka remained focused, determined to avoid the flashbacks of past disappointments. “I kept reminding myself that this is the final of the US Open, and of course she’s going to fight really hard for it. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and I had to work really hard to get it,” she said. “In those tough moments, I reminded myself that I have been through a lot and that I’m strong enough to handle the pressure.”
After securing her victory on the court, Sabalenka celebrated with a glamorous makeover for the champion’s photoshoot. Wearing a high-slit, sleeveless red dress, she posed with her trophy, her radiant smile a testament to the hard-fought victory.
The night was dark, the lights were bright, and Sabalenka’s joy was palpable. Her forehand, a powerful shot averaging 129 kmph according to Eurosport, had been a key weapon throughout the tournament. It was faster than both Carlos Alcaraz’s and Jannik Sinner’s averages, making it the fastest on either side of the draw at the US Open.
Sabalenka’s victory is even more poignant given the personal tragedies she has endured in recent years, including the loss of her father, Sergey, to meningitis five years ago, and the death of her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltov, who took his own life earlier this year. Tennis has been Sabalenka’s anchor through these difficult times. “After I lost my-father, it became my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis,” she said. “Every time I see my name on that trophy, I’m so proud of myself, and I’m proud of my family for never giving up on my dream.”
Following her loss to Coco Gauff last year, Sabalenka had analyzed her struggles, saying, “The good news is that it’s me against me.” This time, it was Aryna Sabalenka versus Jessica Pegula, and Sabalenka emerged victorious. Despite the noisy full house under the roof, Sabalenka remained focused, locking out any distractions.
“I faced a lot of challenges on and off the court. Like being injured and not able to play Wimbledon. It was a new experience for me,” she said. “That’s why this win is so special because no matter what, I came back stronger. I never gave up on this dream.”
Fun Fact: Tennis fans first witnessed Aryna Sabalenka’s powerful game in November 2017. When, at just 19 years old, she competed in and won the Mumbai Open, a WTA 125k event. It was biggest title of her career at that point, marking beginning of her rise to top of the sport.
