Aryna Sabalenka declared that she was 'definitely going for a drink' after finishing as runner-up to Coco Gauff in the US Open final.

Second seed Sabalenka made the final of the last Grand Slam of the year in New York for the first time in her career. This came after she avoided a third consecutive defeat in the semi-finals, after being ousted in that stage by Iga Swiatek in 2022 and Leylah Fernandez in 2021.

Unfortunately for the Belarusian, though, she did not go on to claim her second Grand Slam title. She broke her opponent three times to comfortably take the first set, but Gauff fought back hard to emerge victorious 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 and win her first major title.

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Sabalenka not too sad about defeat

Despite her defeat, Sabalenka still had plenty to celebrate. The most notable milestone was dethroning Iga Swiatek as World No.1 for the first time. Coming into the tournament, the 25-year-old knew that she had to equal or better Swiatek's final result. This was made possible when Jelena Ostapenko ousted the Polish player in the Round of 16.

After the final, Sabalenka reflected on the match, saying that she wasn't too upset about losing because of her achievement in the WTA Ranking.

"Yeah, that's why probably, that's why I'm not super depressed right now. I'm definitely going for a drink tonight if I'm allowed to say that. Yes, we are athletes, but sometimes we are drinking, but not much," she said.

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Sabalenka also looked ahead to the rest of the season, reiterating her goals.

"But becoming a World No. 1, it's a huge improvement, and achievement, actually. I'm really proud of myself that all those years I have been working so hard helped me to become World No. 1.

"But, you know, like, for me it's more about end the year as World No. 1, not just like become World No. 1 and then next week you're second. It's good so that I can say I have been World No. 1, but I really would like to finish the year as World No. 1. That's why I'm, like, still positive, and I'm still motivated," she continued.

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