Aryna Sabalenka believed she had mastered her craft. She felt she had refined her game, transforming her raw power into reliable precision. After rising through the ranks to become the top-ranked player in the world, she was confident she could tackle any obstacle. Sabalenka was certain she was prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
But her painful loss to Coco Gauff in the French Open final made her realize that wasn’t the case. Battling nerves under intense pressure and harsh wind conditions, Sabalenka was outlasted by a determined and relentless Gauff, who pushed her to fight for every point.
In the aftermath, as discussions swirled about her post-match remarks, Sabalenka took a brief trip to Mykonos, Greece, with her partner, Georgios. She used the getaway to unwind, stepping away from tennis to clear her mind. Yet, much of her time was spent reflecting on her recent performances. Following her Australian Open final defeat to Madison Keys, she had told herself to simply move on. But her struggles in Paris left her questioning her approach.
“I was in Mykonos, reading, enjoying the view,” she recalled with a laugh. “And I kept thinking, ‘Why did I let my emotions take over in those two finals?’ It was as if I thought, ‘If I reached the final, I was destined to win.’ I underestimated my opponents—I assumed everything would fall into place easily. That was completely the wrong mindset.”
This season became a humbling experience, teaching Sabalenka that there’s always more to learn and that improvement never stops. She had already elevated her game to remarkable heights, maintaining a high level of play with few setbacks. But that didn’t mean success would come effortlessly.
Those lessons were evident in her latest performance. Facing one of the few players who could match her power from the baseline, Sabalenka stayed composed in the critical moments. She secured a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over Amanda Anisimova, defending her US Open title and claiming her fourth major championship.
“Before the final, I told myself I would control my emotions,” Sabalenka said. “No matter what happened—if she broke back or played unbelievable tennis—I wouldn’t let my feelings take over. It’s a final; of course she was going to fight.”
With each new achievement, it’s impossible not to reflect on Sabalenka’s evolution. Early in her career, she swung with little strategy, relying purely on power. Since then, she has developed into one of the most consistent high-stakes players of the past decade, alongside Serena Williams.
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