Aryna Sabalenka celebrated her first US Open title and third Grand Slam singles title by collapsing to the ground, overwhelmed with emotion, after defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 on Saturday in Arthur Ashe Stadium, amid an enthusiastic audience.
This victory marks a significant turnaround for Sabalenka, who lost to Coco Gauff in last year’s final after trailing in the match, as well as falling short in the semifinals in both 2021 and 2022. The 26-year-old from Belarus expressed her joy during the trophy ceremony, reflecting on her past experiences. “Oh, my God. I’m speechless right now. So many times, I thought I was so close to getting a US Open title. It’s been a dream of mine. Finally, I got this beautiful trophy. It means a lot,” Sabalenka stated.
In her 100th major match, Sabalenka became the sixth woman ever to win the US Open after her previous final loss, following Serena Williams in 2012. With this win, she has solidified her place among the top active WTA players, now holding four Slam singles titles.
The match saw fluctuating control, with Sabalenka initially taking a 5-2 lead in the first set, only to have Pegula rally back. As the set reached 5-all, Sabalenka seized the momentum, winning the next games. In the second set, despite trailing 5-3, she won 16 of the last 23 points, particularly dominating the long rallies.
After 1 hour and 53 minutes, Sabalenka secured the championship, reflecting, “Was able to find some good tennis, just wasn’t quite able to sustain it,” said Pegula, acknowledging Sabalenka’s performance under pressure.
Sabalenka’s season has been a rollercoaster ride, starting with a second consecutive Australian Open win in January followed by personal grief due to the tragic death of her former partner, which left her heartbroken. She faced challenges throughout the clay season, including a stomach virus, a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon, and opted out of the Olympics to prioritize her health.
In contrast to other players who faced fatigue, Sabalenka emerged rejuvenated after a break and prepared for the US Open, culminating in her successful run in New York. “I just got to the limit emotionally and physically and it was very important to kind of step back, just recharge,” she explained.
Sabalenka credited her tough experiences with helping her navigate critical moments during the final. She is now among a select group of women to win both the Australian Open and US Open in the same year.
While Pegula, who aimed to become the second-oldest first-time major champion, expressed disappointment, she recognized her progress in the tournament, reaching her first final after defeating the world’s top player. Although she felt a bit overwhelmed immediately after the match, she anticipated a newfound appreciation for her achievements in the future.
Pegula is set to rise to No. 3 in the WTA rankings following her successful tournament, matching her career high. Meanwhile, Sabalenka will maintain her position at No. 2.