- Sabalenka remains composed throughout the confrontation against Anisimova.
- Said that “the state of mind was just there, fighting for each point”.
- Said she deserved to have the Grand Slam title this season.
New York: The champion of the United States Open, Aryna Sabalenka, can be nicknamed “The Tiger”, but her triumph of New York on Saturday was less on the raw assault and more balance, while the world number one was out and gathered in key moments to win a fourth Grand Chelem title.
Determined to become the first woman since the great American Serena Williams (2012-2014) to defend her crown at Flushing Meadows, the Bélarus brought the weight of the recent major setbacks to claim a 6-3 7-6 victory (3) on Amanda Anisimova in the final and keep her crown.
After the final defeats in Melbourne and Paris, and a semi-final of Wimbledon against Anisimova, Sabalenka transformed all this disappointment into fuel, winning the right to present himself at his press conference in party mode, glasses perched on his head and a bottle of champagne in hand.
“After the Australian Open, I thought that the right way would be to forget it and move on, but the same thing happened to the Open of France. So I thought that, okay, it may be time for me to sit and look at these finals and maybe learning something,” Extatic Sabalenka told Sabalenka.
“Upon entering this final, I decided for myself that I will control my emotions. I’m not going to let them take control of myself, and no matter what’s going on in the match.
“My state of mind was just there, fighting for each point. No matter the situation. Focus on myself and focus on things I have to do to win the match.”
The opportunity seemed ripe for Sabalenka to collapse under the roar of a partisan crowd of Arthur Ashe encouraging her American opponent, but the 27 -year -old woman showed that she was equipped to win in the most difficult moments.
Sabalenka served the match when she offered Anisimova a break with a piloting smash in what seemed a change of pivotal dynamism. However, the seeded did not fail when it had the most, winning the 19th break in consecutive equality.
“There were times when I was very close to losing control, but I said to myself:” No, it will not happen. It’s absolutely good, “said Sabalenka.
“I was very close to losing it, because you cannot make this kind of mistakes on important points. Sometimes it can be crucial, according to my experience.
“But then, I turn around and I took a deep inspiration, and I was, like that, it happens. It’s in the past. Let’s focus on the next one.”
Sabalenka added that his stage victory in the 100th Grand Slam match had an additional weight due to the road it took to get there.
“You know, he felt like he had to overcome a lot to get it,” she said. “I knew that the hard work that we put, like, I deserved to have a title of the Grand Slam this season.
“It means a lot to defend this title and bring such tennis on the field. To bring the fight and be able to manage my emotions as I did in this final, that means a lot. I am super proud at the moment of myself.”
