Aryna Sabalenka was overwhelmed with emotion after capturing her first US Open title, defeating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a thrilling final at Flushing Meadows.
Reflecting on her journey, Sabalenka said, “I’m speechless. I remember all the tough losses here.” The victory was especially meaningful for her, as she had endured heartbreaking defeats at the US Open in previous years. “They say you’re going to see the reason later. I see the reason right now,” Sabalenka remarked, referencing the lessons learned from her past failures.
Her resilience and perseverance were on full display throughout the match as she battled past Pegula, a determined opponent who was backed by a passionate home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sabalenka’s victory was a redemption of sorts, as just 12 months ago, she had lost the US Open final to Coco Gauff. In the aftermath of that defeat, Sabalenka was seen smashing her racquet in frustration. This time, however, she dropped to the floor in celebration after clinching the title, finally achieving her dream.
“It’s very special because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger and I was learning. I never gave up on this dream,” she said.
With this win, Sabalenka became the first player since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win both hard-court Grand Slam titles in the same year, having defended her Australian Open crown earlier in 2024. Her triumph extended her unbeaten streak on hard courts at major tournaments to 14 matches. The victory not only earned her 2,000 ranking points but also $3.6 million in prize money, solidifying her place among the sport’s elite.
