New York, NY – Aryna Sabalenka secured her fourth Grand Slam championship Sunday, defeating Amanda Anisimova in a thrilling US Open final. The world No. 1 tennis star, 27, defended her title with a 6-3, 7-6 victory, marking a historic moment as she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend the US Open crown.
The victory followed a respectful exchange between the two competitors. After clinching the final, Sabalenka took a moment to acknowledge Anisimova’s effort. “Congrats Amanda on reaching back-to-back Slam finals [Wimbledon and US Open],” she told Anisimova on the court. “I know how much it hurts, losing in the final. But trust me, the moment you’re going to win the first one – and you are going to win it. You play incredible tennis!”
Anisimova, 24, has been on a remarkable comeback after a period focused on her mental health. She was ranked No. 50 worldwide as of August 2024, having surged to No. 9 after reaching the Wimbledon final earlier in the year and performing impressively at the US Open, including avenging her Wimbledon loss to Iga Świątek in the quarterfinal.
Despite a previous, testy exchange at Wimbledon – where Sabalenka suggested Anisimova should apologize for an earlier point – both players expressed respect for each other. Sabalenka admitted she felt Anisimova didn’t apologize after the Wimbledon semifinal, while Anisimova clarified that her initial reaction was simply a long grunt.
“It’s just crazy,” Sabalenka said in her post-match interview. “All those tough lessons [were] worth this one. I’m speechless right now. I love it here. I love the support. I like throughout the years [the fans and I] built a kind of relationship, and you guys give me so much support … Thank you guys for bringing the best atmosphere.”