Why winning US Open means more to Sabalenka

If a picture paints a 1,000 words, then the image of Aryna Sabalenka celebrating her latest US Open title provides a vivid description of what victory means.

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Falling to her knees on the court, covering her face and shaking with adrenaline summed up the stress the world number one had been feeling.

Sabalenka, 27, has been the WTA Tour's most dominant player again this season - winning more titles, more matches and more points than anyone else.

But she still had not lifted a Grand Slam trophy in 2025 until beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in Saturday's final in New York.

"This one felt different. It felt like I had to overcome a lot of things to get it," said Sabalenka, moments after striding into her victory news conference clutching a champagne bottle.

"I knew that [because of] the hard work we put in, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season."

Questions have been raised about Sabalenka's emotional strength in the final stages of the Grand Slams.

She answered them with a mature and largely-disciplined performance against Anisimova.

It was a stark contrast to the way she lost the Australian Open and French Open finals to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff respectively.

She also learnt from her mistakes in the Wimbledon semifinals, where she lost to Anisimova.

"When I fell [to the court], it was because it means a lot to defend this title and to bring such great tennis," said Sabalenka.

"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."

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