Aryna Sabalenka is no stranger to the rituals of Grand Slam triumphs—celebrating on the court, giving speeches, meeting the media, selecting the perfect dress, styling her hair, and posing for photographers. But after defeating No. 6 Jessica Pegula to secure her first US Open and third career Grand Slam title on Saturday night, the moment felt profoundly different. Sabalenka was overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears of joy, relief, and unexpected pride.
“That’s why I’m telling you that this one is very special,” Sabalenka shared on the WTA Insider Podcast. “It’s because of so many things I had to overcome in the past, and especially this season, and still be able to compete at my highest level to win this beautiful trophy. It’s even sweeter because when you’re fighting through challenges on and off the court and still end up with this trophy, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Sabalenka recorded the podcast after completing her media obligations. In a small green room beneath Arthur Ashe Stadium, she tried on various dresses for upcoming photoshoots, eventually choosing a bold red dress for her Champion’s Photo. While reflecting on her victory, Sabalenka relished the celebratory moments but remained mindful of the challenges that still lay ahead.
The Race for World No. 1
Exiting New York, Sabalenka trails Iga Swiatek by just 409 points in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals. A strong summer performance, accumulating 3,410 points from Washington D.C. to New York, has intensified the battle for the year-end No. 1 spot. Last year, Sabalenka briefly held the No. 1 ranking after New York, only for Swiatek to reclaim it by sweeping the WTA Finals. With both players having secured their spots for the Finals in Riyadh, the race for the top ranking could come down to the final match once again this season.
“I’m still hungry, for sure,” Sabalenka said. “Another goal is to try to become World No. 1 again, but I don’t want to focus too much on that. I’m just aiming to keep improving and getting better every day.”
Looking Ahead
For now, Sabalenka plans to take a brief respite to enjoy her victory and recharge for the rest of the season. “I’ll switch off and forget about tennis for a little bit so I can maintain this freshness until the end of the season. Six weeks is not that long,” she concluded.
As the season progresses, Sabalenka’s journey continues, with the upcoming weeks set to determine whether she can reclaim the No. 1 ranking in a closely contested race against Swiatek. The tennis world will be watching closely as these two formidable players vie for the year-end top spot.
