"The crowd factor was definitely a part of this match": Stubbs believes Gauff's home advantage played factor in Sabalenka's US Open final loss
WTAFriday, 15 September 2023 at 17:00
As expected, Aryna Sabalenka was up against it in her pursuit of the US Open title facing Coco Gauff and the baying crowd behind her wanting the American to win on home soil.
It managed to work, with Sabalenka folding after initially taking the first set and Rennae Stubbs believes the pressure paid its part and the crowd getting on her back.
She compared the Belarusian to Novak Djokovic in playing the role of the silencer of the crowd but said in this case it was too much. Even using her own experience as a player, she said it was always going to be an uphill struggle.
"I think the crowd factor was definitely a part of this match, and there's no doubt about it. I think Aryna, out of all players, can handle it, she loves the fight and the atmosphere very much like Novak does. But I think even for her it was too much," she said on her podcast.
"I know as a player what's it like, not playing in the closest realm of 20,000 people but I've played in front of a very raucous crowd. Whether it be in Spain, Fed Cup, whatever," she continued.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
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