US Open 2025: 'It was all worth it'

“I figured that, okay, maybe it's time for me to sit back and to look at those finals and to maybe learn something, because I didn't want it to happen again and again and again,” said Sabalenka.

She went to Mykonos for some R&R, read the book ‘Into the Magic Shop’ and decided to reflect on her disappointing losses.

“I was just thinking that why would I let my emotions take control over me in those two finals?” she explained.

“It felt like I thought that, okay, if I made it to the final, it means that I'm going to win it, and I sort of didn't expect players to come out there and to fight. I thought that everything was going to go easily my way, which was completely wrong mindset, you know?”

As she entered her third Grand Slam final of the season at the US Open on Saturday, Sabalenka knew she would not be repeating the mistakes of the past.

After losing to Gauff in 2023 and beating Jessica Pegula in 2024, Sabalenka was going to face an American in the US Open final for a third consecutive year, Amanda Anisimova, and she knew she wasn’t going to let anything get to her – not the crowd, not her opponent and not her emotions.

“Going into this final I decided for myself that I'm going to control my emotions,” said the world No.1.

“I'm not going to let them take control over me, and doesn't matter what happens in the match. If she breaks me back or if she plays incredible tennis – of course, it's the finals, and she's going to be fighting, especially after recent final, I knew that she would love to have, like, a better result.

“My mindset was just going out there, fight for every point. Doesn't matter the situation. Just focus on myself and focus on things that I have to do to win the match. I think from what I understand today, that the lesson learned and I really hope it will never happen again if I'm going to be playing another finals, that I will be more in control.”

The lesson was indeed learned.

Every time Anisimova pegged her back, Sabalenka stayed the course and reclaimed her advantage.

Despite squandering a 2-0 lead in the opening set and a 3-1 and 5-3 lead in the second, Sabalenka secured a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over Anisimova to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend her US Open title.

It was Sabalenka’s fourth Grand Slam triumph but judging from her emotional reaction to her win, you’d think it was her first. After converting her third match point, Sabalenka knelt to the ground, covering her face in a combination of relief and disbelief.

This was her last chance to win a major this season and she was elated she didn’t let it slip through her fingers.

“This one felt different. This one felt like I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one,” said the 27-year-old

“I knew that the hard work we put in, like, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season. So, yeah, when I fell, it was like truly emotions, because it means a lot to defend this title and to bring such a great tennis on court.

“And to bring the fight and be able to handle my emotions the way I did in this final, it means a lot. I'm super proud right now of myself.”

Sabalenka entered the contest trailing Anisimova 3-6 head-to-head, and having lost to her less than two months ago in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Anisimova had her own demons to vanquish, as she rebounded remarkably from her 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final, ousting the Pole on her way to the US Open championship match.

The 24-year-old American returned from an eight-month mental health break at the start of 2024 and is now a two-time major finalist.

The sting of losing two finals surely hurts, but her brave performance against Sabalenka – despite struggling with her ball toss under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe stadium – will eventually give her confidence moving forward.

“It’s been a great summer. I mean losing two finals in a row is great, but it’s also super hard. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today,” said Anisimova during the trophy ceremony.

“I just want to say congrats to Aryna. You are so incredible. I know I have to face you all the time but I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished and you keep on achieving so many incredible things, so a big congratulations to you and your team, you guys are amazing.”

Sabalenka was just as gracious in her speech, reciprocating the praise by saying: “It’s just crazy, all those tough lessons are worth this one. I’m speechless right now.

“But first of all I want to say congrats, Amanda, on reaching back-to-back finals in the Slams. I know how much it hurts losing in the final, but trust me, the moment you’re going to win your first one, and you’re going to win it, because you’re playing incredible tennis – congrats to you and your team on the things that you’ve been able to achieve after your comeback – you’re going to enjoy it even more after these tough losses in the finals.”

Anisimova fought back from 0-2 down in the first set by taking three games in a row, and she broke Sabalenka as she was serving for the championship at 5-4 in the second set, but it wasn’t enough to stop the top seed from clinching the tiebreak (Sabalenka has won her last 19 consecutive tiebreaks) and securing the trophy.

“I just felt like throughout the match I wasn't playing my best tennis. I don't know. I feel like with finals I have a lot of nerves, and it's something I'm trying to work on, but I just wish I played more aggressive,” said Anisimova.  

“Of course, she was playing amazing. She was playing very aggressive and doing all the right things, so she made it very difficult for me today.

“I didn't win today, so of course I didn't do enough. That's just the reality, and I have to accept that. I feel like if I fought harder, then maybe I would have given myself more of a chance, but I feel like I was really kind of in the back seat today.”

Sabalenka will remain at the top of the rankings after the Open while Anisimova will rise to a career-high No.4 in the world on Monday.