World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka marked her latest triumph in style after defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets on Saturday to win a second consecutive US Open and the fourth Grand Slam title of her career.
Celebrating a Historic Victory
She burst into the locker room to a champagne shower, wearing protective goggles as she and her team soaked one another. Sabalenka moved from person to person, dousing teammates and offering celebratory sips, with even a few photographers caught in the spray. She later stretched out on the floor to be splashed herself before raising a toast.
The party atmosphere followed her into the post-match press conference, where she arrived in high spirits with a bottle of champagne and water in hand, goggles still perched on her head. A young fan opened the questioning, and Sabalenka described how much the victory meant, noting that defending the title felt especially rewarding after hard lessons earlier in the season that included losses in a couple of major finals.
Sabalenka also reflected on the significance of her recent Grand Slam successes following the unexpected death of her father in 2019. She stated that those experiences pushed her to turn grief into motivation and to honor her family name, adding that she draws strength from his memory. This emotional connection fuels her desire to succeed and overcome any challenges on her journey.
As she looks ahead, Sabalenka is scheduled to compete next in Beijing at the end of the month. With this win, she became the first player to successfully defend the US Open women’s singles title since Serena Williams in 2014. Her remarkable achievements not only solidify her status as a top player but also inspire many aspiring athletes who look up to her resilience and determination.