conquering emotional aspects leading to US Open victory: Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, has triumphed in the US Open final, defeating Amanda Anisimova in a thrilling match that ended 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). The Belarusian star's victory marks her fourth career Grand Slam title and comes after a challenging season that saw losses in the finals of the Australian and French Open.
Sabalenka's path to victory this season has been marked by a newfound mental approach, a change that she credits for her success in Flushing Meadows. Following her disappointing losses earlier in the year, Sabalenka rethought her strategy for major finals. She decided that she would not let her emotions control her, a decision that paid off handsomely on Saturday.
The US Open final held extra significance for Sabalenka, who arrived for her press conference clutching an open bottle of champagne. She felt that she had overcome a lot to win the title, and her victory was a source of immense pride.
Sabalenka's father, Sergey, passed away from meningitis in 2019 at the age of 43. His death left a deep impact on Sabalenka, who was initially depressed. However, she used this tragedy as motivation to succeed, finding the strength to put their family name in the history books.
Sabalenka's self-development and mental approach have been supported by her coach Anton Dubrov, who transitioned from her hitting partner to lead coach in 2020, and by her fitness and mental performance coach Jason Stacy since 2018. Additionally, Max Mirnyi was brought in as a tactical consultant in 2025 to further support her game.
The self-help memoir "Into the Magic Shop" by neurosurgeon James Doty played a significant role in Sabalenka's transformation. A holiday in Mykonos provided the time and space for Sabalenka to read the book and find a new perspective.
Sabalenka believes she feels her late father's protection and considers him her power. She dedicated her US Open victory to him, paying tribute to the man who inspired her to reach the top of women's tennis.
As Sabalenka looks to the future, she is determined to build on her success in New York. With her new-found mental approach and the support of her team, there's no telling how far she can go.
