NEW YORK – Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her US Open Women’s Singles title on Saturday, defeating Amanda Anisimova in a hard-fought final that concluded 6-3, 7-6. The victory marked Sabalenka’s fourth Grand Slam championship and solidified her position as the world’s top-ranked female tennis player.
Following the match, Sabalenka extended her graciousness to Anisimova, acknowledging her opponent’s remarkable comeback and her run to the final. “Congrats Amanda on reaching back to back Slam final [Wimbledon and US Open],” Sabalenka stated during an on-court interview. “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, returning to the sport after prioritizing her mental health following the death of her father and coach, Konstantin Anisimov, expressed her respect for Sabalenka. “Losing in two final in a row is great but it’s also super hard,” Anisimova commented. “I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today but I just want to say congrats to Aryna.”
The final match followed a contentious semifinal earlier in the tournament, where Anisimova had defeated Sabalenka at Wimbledon. During that match, Sabalenka had publicly questioned Anisimova’s sportsmanship, suggesting she owed an apology for a perceived premature celebration. However, Sabalenka tempered that sentiment following Saturday’s victory.
“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.”
Anisimova, currently ranked No. 50 in the world, had surged to No. 9 following her Wimbledon final appearance and impressive US Open run, which included a quarterfinal victory over Iga Świątek. Despite the losses, Anisimova has been prioritizing her mental well-being and has taken a break from tennis to address those issues.