When the final ball landed wide and the umpire’s voice rang out — “Game, set, match, Sabalenka” — Aryna Sabalenka dropped her racquet, raised her arms, and let out a roar that seemed to echo across Arthur Ashe Stadium. Moments later, champagne corks were popping, and the defending champion was basking in a moment of history. With a 6–3, 7–6(3) victory over American Amanda Anisimova, the Belarusian powerhouse etched her name deeper into tennis folklore by winning her second consecutive US Open title and her fourth Grand Slam crown overall.
This wasn’t just another win for Sabalenka. It was a statement of resilience, dominance, and unshakable belief.
The Road to the Final
Sabalenka’s journey through the 2025 season has been anything but smooth. She began the year with heartbreak, losing the Australian Open final, followed by another crushing defeat in the French Open final. At Wimbledon, her campaign ended in the semifinals, once again fueling the narrative that while she was among the most consistent performers in women’s tennis, her ability to close at the biggest moments was under scrutiny.
By the time she arrived in New York, questions lingered: Could she finally turn promise into triumph? Could she silence the critics who said she was slipping from her peak?
Match by match, Sabalenka answered those doubts. She bulldozed past the early rounds, showcased composure against tricky opponents, and in the semifinals overcame home favorite Jessica Pegula in three sets, setting the stage for a blockbuster showdown with Anisimova, the resurgent American who had stunned the draw.
The Final Showdown
The clash between Sabalenka and Anisimova promised fireworks: two of the heaviest hitters in women’s tennis colliding for the US Open crown. And the first set didn’t disappoint. Sabalenka came out firing, her serve a cannon and her groundstrokes unrelenting. She broke Anisimova early, taking control and sealing the set 6–3.
But Anisimova wasn’t going away quietly. In the second set, she pushed Sabalenka to the brink. The rallies grew longer, the atmosphere electric as the home crowd rallied behind their American hopeful. At 5–5, tension was palpable. Anisimova forced errors from Sabalenka, earning break points that could have flipped the match. But the world No. 1 showed her nerves of steel, hammering aces and unleashing fearless forehands to escape danger.
The set drifted into a tiebreak, and that’s when Sabalenka’s championship mettle shone brightest. She raced to a 5–2 lead, punctuating each point with primal screams, before sealing the breaker 7–3. With that, the US Open crown stayed firmly in her grasp.
Making History
Sabalenka’s victory wasn’t just about the match—it was about legacy. She became the first woman since Serena Williams (2014) to successfully defend the US Open title. On the hard courts of New York, she has now won back-to-back championships, cementing her status as the “Queen of Queens” in the modern era.
This triumph also gave her four Grand Slam titles (two Australian Opens, two US Opens), placing her in the same elite category as Naomi Osaka and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario. Even more remarkably, she has reached every hard-court Slam final since 2022, an astonishing display of consistency in a sport where dominance is increasingly difficult to sustain.
Champagne, Kisses, and a Champion’s Glow
What followed the win was as memorable as the match itself. In a moment of pure joy, Sabalenka scaled the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium to embrace and kiss her boyfriend, Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis. The gesture drew cheers from the crowd and quickly went viral across social media.
Then came the champagne. The Belarusian celebrated with her team, showering them in sparkling sprays of victory. “This is for all of us,” she said in her on-court interview, pointing to her support box. “I couldn’t have done this without my team, my family, and the fans who believed in me. This one feels extra special.”
Interestingly, she also credited a book she had been reading throughout the tournament, saying it helped her focus and calm her nerves during tough matches. “It reminded me to live in the moment, to play point by point, and not to let the pressure get to me,” she explained.
A Tale of Resilience
Sabalenka’s 2025 season, now crowned with glory, is a study in perseverance. Many players might have folded after losing multiple Slam finals in one year, but she doubled down. She worked on her mindset, leaned on her team, and showed why she remains the undisputed world No. 1.
“I trust my game,” Sabalenka said after the match. “I know I can win these titles if I stay true to myself and keep fighting. Every setback this year prepared me for this moment.”
Her words echo the transformation she has undergone in recent years: once known as a player prone to emotional meltdowns and inconsistency, Sabalenka now thrives on pressure
Reactions From Around the Tennis World
Pundits were quick to heap praise. Former champion Chris Evert hailed her mental fortitude, noting: “To lose three majors in a row this year and still come back to win the US Open—that shows a champion’s heart.”
Meanwhile, Billie Jean King tweeted: “Back-to-back US Open titles for Aryna Sabalenka! Incredible display of power, poise, and perseverance. A true inspiration.”
Fans in New York also recognized her growth. “She’s not just the strongest hitter on tour,” one fan said. “She’s the strongest fighter.”
What’s Next for Sabalenka?
With the US Open win, Sabalenka has all but cemented her spot as the year-end world No. 1. Attention now shifts to the WTA Finals, where she will look to cap her season with another big trophy. More broadly, her triumph raises the question: Is Sabalenka entering the kind of dominance once associated with Serena Williams?
If she can continue to harness her power and newfound mental calm, there’s every chance she could dominate women’s tennis for years to come.
Final Word
Aryna Sabalenka’s 2025 US Open victory is more than just another trophy in her cabinet. It is a defining moment of her career, a reward for perseverance after heartbreak, and a celebration of resilience in the face of doubt. With champagne-soaked smiles and history on her side, she has proven once again why she belongs at the pinnacle of women’s tennis.
As the lights dimmed over Arthur Ashe and the echoes of celebration faded, one thing was clear: Sabalenka’s story is far from finished. In fact, this may just be the beginning of her greatest chapter yet.