By Tony Fairbairn
- Aryna Sabalenka [1] def Amanda Anisimova [8] 6-3 7-6(3)
- Aryna Sabalenka admitted that she has a ‘better understanding of who I am’ after learning past lessons to defend her US Open title.
NEW YORK, USA – Aryna Sabalenka has admitted she is ‘super proud’ after learning lessons from previous Grand Slam finals this season in order to defend her US Open title.
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Aryna Sabalenka [1] def Amanda Anisimova [8] 6-3 7-6(3)
Aryna Sabalenka is the US Open champion! The world number one defeated Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to defend her US Open title and leave 2025 with a Grand Slam title. The defending champion was emotional after the match in what has been a tough year for Sabalenka in big moments. The top seed did rise to the occasion and that was proven in the opening two games as she broke early on.
In the early stages, Anisimova went for too much on points she didn’t really need to but the American rectified that in the following games as she took the next three games to take a 3-2 lead. However, Anisimova couldn’t capitalise on the momentum she created as she seemed to struggle with the roof lights on serve. The world number one capitalised and played a tactically consistent opening set, breaking back to love.
There was power, variety and accuracy as Anisimova couldn’t be consistent when it mattered most as the unforced error count racked up. That resulted in Sabalenka cruising to the next four games as the defending champion claimed the opening set and moved a step closer to US Open immortality.
A stride was in Sabalenka’s step which is something you couldn’t say about the world number one in the build-up to the event as she took an early break lead in the third game with some stunning all-court play. Once again, Anisimova was struggling with the lights but showed her resilience and class as the set went on. Despite, Sabalenka looking like she was going to cruise to victory Anisimova bounced back and levelled the set at 3-3 with a break to love.
The world number one was determined to show that act of defiance from Anisimova was temporary as her class was permanent as she broke for a 4-3 lead and would have the chance to serve for the title. Once again though Sabalenka’s service jitters were on full display as a ruthless Anisimova was determined to extend this match as she broke comfortably and ensured this set would go to a tiebreak.
In the end though, Sabalenka showed why she is a consistent Grand Slam champion on hard courts in particular as she dominated the tiebreak to seal her second consecutive US Open title and secured her first and only Grand Slam of the season.
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‘I have a better understanding of who I am’
After a difficult Grand Slam season, Sabalenka leaves New York as a Grand Slam champion in 2025.
The world number one became the first female player since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend her US Open crown as she proved why she is world number one.
It had been a struggle for Sabalenka having lost two Grand Slam finals this season but the world number one admitted the lessons she learned were worth it and that she is ‘super proud’ of herself.
“So when I fell, it was like truly emotions, because it means a lot to defend this title and to bring such a great tennis on court. And 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,” Sabalenka told the WTA website.
“I think because of the finals earlier this season, this one felt different. This one felt like I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one. The hard work we put in, like, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season.
“After French Open I figured that, ‘OK, maybe it’s time for me to sit back and to look at those finals and to maybe learn something. Because I didn’t want it to happen again and again and again.
“I thought that if I made it to the final, it means that I’m going to win it, and I sort of didn’t expect players to come out there and to fight. I thought that everything going to go easily my way, which was completely wrong mindset. Going into this final, I decided for myself that I’m going to control my emotions.
“All those tough lessons worth this one.”
It wasn’t just the fact that she lost those matches it was the nature of the defeats that were damning for Sabalenka.
Past frailties haunting her progress as she lost control of her emotions in defeats to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
However, Sabalenka made sure that those didn’t happen again as she had a better understanding of who she is.
“Some people don’t really understand the intensity of everything, that when you lose the final of one of the biggest tournaments and you go to media straightaway,” Sabalenka reflected to the US Open website.
“I had to sit back and reflect on everything and apologize and make sure people understand my point that I was just over-emotional. I was completely wrong. It took a little while to explain myself a little better. But now I think people understand me even better. It was a tough lesson, but it helped me in many ways.
“I’m able to handle my emotions much better because I have a better understanding of who I am.”
‘I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today’
A contrasting defeat for Anisimova to the one she suffered at Wimbledon but defeat nevertheless as the American couldn’t get over the line.
However, a lot for Anisimova to reflect and be proud of as she reached a second consecutive Grand Slam final.
Reflecting on the defeat, Anisimova said that she didn’t fight hard enough for her dreams and is still looking to improve on handling her nerves in the big occasions.
“[Making two Grand Slam finals in a row] is great, but it’s also super hard. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today,” Anisimova acknowledged to the US Open website.
“I just felt like throughout the match I wasn’t playing my best tennis. I feel like with finals I have a lot of nerves, and it’s something I’m trying to work on, but I just wish I played more aggressive.
“I didn’t win today, so of course I didn’t do enough. That’s just the reality, and I have to accept that.”
The last few months have taught Anisimova that she is capable of Grand Slam success in the future.
Now, the American is more ‘motivated’ then ever before to chase her dreams and fulfil her destiny as a Grand Slam champion.
“Making it to the final is obviously really special, but it would have been a dream come true to make it all the way,” Anisimova told the US Open website.
“But of course I’m motivated, and I hope I can keep working really hard to give myself more opportunities to be in more and more finals.”
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