Aryna Sabalenka states what she finds ‘insane to believe’ about her triumph at the US Open

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Aryna Sabalenka refused to go without a major crown in 2025 and strung together an incredible campaign to clinch the US Open title.

After dropping just one set en route to the final, Sabalenka overcame Amanda Anisimova at Arthur Ashe Stadium to claim Grand Slam number four.

The Belarusian became just the third woman in the Open Era to secure all of her first four major championships on hard court, following Naomi Osaka and Kim Clijsters.

Along with the trophy, Sabalenka also won her 100th WTA match against Anisimova, making her the second to reach a century of tour-level victories in a Grand Slam final, after Iga Swiatek, who did so at Wimbledon in July.

Aryna Sabalenka reflects days after winning the US Open title

Perhaps the most impressive feat achieved by the 27-year-old, though, was ending the title defence drought at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka is the first since Serena Williams in 2014 to win consecutive US Open women’s singles titles.

In an interview on ‘Today’, she said of the accomplishment: “That is insane to believe. Not to compare to her, but to have something a little close to Serena is just crazy to process.

“I had to learn really tough lessons earlier this season. I’m kind of like, not happy, but I needed to learn something about myself to go out here at the US Open to bring the best tennis, and to bring the best fight in the final, and to control myself like I did.

“They were tough lessons, but they are worth the feeling right now.

It was an incredible couple of weeks. It is insane to be able to hold this trophy again. Right now, I am still in the process of realising what just happened.”

The title defence drought in women’s singles at the US Open

After Williams picked the 18th of her eventual 23 Grand Slam titles at the US Open in 2014, the tournament saw a different winner each year that followed.

Flavia Pennetta and Angelique Kerber hoisted the trophy in 2015 and 2016, respectively, before home hope Sloane Stephens won a maiden major at the event in 2017.

Osaka’s two US Open victories sandwiched Bianca Andreescu’s impressive campaign in 2019, which saw the Canadian defeat Williams in the final.

In 2021, Emma Raducanu became the first player in history to come through qualifying to win a Grand Slam in the Big Apple.

Swiatek and Coco Gauff then emerged victorious in 2022 and 2023 before Sabalenka finally went back-to-back in 2024 and 2025.