NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka transformed her U.S. Open experience from tears to triumph on Saturday as she claimed her first championship at Flushing Meadows, marking the third Grand Slam title of her career. The Belarusian No. 2 seed overcame No. 6 Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a thrilling final under the retractable roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, showcasing her powerful play combined with strategic variations.
Reflecting on her past struggles, Sabalenka expressed gratitude for her hard-fought victory. “I had a lot of tough lessons here… especially last year,” said the 26-year-old player. After a rocky start, she closed out the first set by winning the last two games and clinched the match by taking the final four games.
Sabalenka spoke candidly about the challenges she faced off the court, including the loss of her father in 2019, the death of her ex-boyfriend in March, and a shoulder injury that sidelined her from Wimbledon this year. “After I lost my father, it’s always been my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis,” she added, underscoring the importance of her achievement.
Her win also addressed the pain of previous U.S. Open setbacks, including semifinals exits in 2021 and 2022, and the heartbreak of last year’s final against Coco Gauff. This time, the crowd was more supportive, cheering for Sabalenka and even responding to her calls for excitement.
The victory extended Sabalenka’s winning streak to 12 matches. In a lighthearted moment during the post-match press conference, she joked about treating her supporters to drinks after her earlier win, highlighting the joy of her success.
Pegula, a New Yorker competing in her first major final at age 30, acknowledged her own growth despite the loss. “Everyone is like, ‘Congrats! Amazing tournament!’” she remarked, although she remained modest about her achievement.
Despite facing an early setback, Pegula rallied back with a series of strong games, yet she couldn’t hold off Sabalenka’s relentless power in key moments. “She played some big tennis in big moments,” Pegula said, conveying her respect for her opponent’s performance.
Sabalenka displayed moments of frustration but persisted, saving critical break points and asserting her dominance as the match progressed. Her relentless pursuit led to her finishing with significantly more winners than Pegula, indicating her control throughout the match.
“In that second set, honestly, I was just praying there,” Sabalenka admitted after securing her victory, with a winner’s check of $3.6 million now to her name. She demonstrated resilience and determination, ensuring history would remember her for all the right reasons.
