"The experience paid off": Martina Navratilova highlights reason behind Aryna Sabalenka's win in US Open final over Amanda Anisimova

Former world number one Martina Navratilova has highlighted what proved to be the difference between Belarus’ Aryana Sabalenka and America’s Amanda Anisimova in the final of the US Open. The reigning world number one, Sabalenka, came out on top and defended her crown in New York as she defeated Anisimova in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6.

It was a fitting end for Sabalenka, who suffered two defeats in the final of the Grand Slams earlier this year. On the other hand, for Anisimova, the result was another heartbreak as she had earlier lost in the final of Wimbledon to Poland’s Iga Swiatek as well.

Former world number one Navratilova spoke to Sky Sports after the match, where she highlighted that experience played a key role in Sabalenka’s win over Anisimova. Navratilova, on the other hand, stated that for Anisimova, it remains a great ‘summer’, despite losing in the final of Grand Slams on two occasions. Navratilova was of the opinion that Anisimova would learn a lot from her recent defeat and make a strong comeback.

“The experience paid off for Sabalenka,” said Navratilova. “For Anisimova. What a summer. She has nothing to hang her head about. If somebody told her you were going to be in the finals of Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, she'd be over the moon. But losing in the finals stinks. It hurts. But this was, I think, an easier loss to take, in a way, for her. She learned a lot from it, and she'll be back.

Navratilova then went on to speak about what makes this win even more special for Sabalenka. Navratilova stated that the victory will be sweeter for Sabalenka as she came into the match after losing two Grand Slam finals, both against American players earlier this year. According to Navratilova, Sabalenka did not play her best tennis in those two finals, and she did not play her best tennis in the final at the Flashing Meadows, but she rose up to the occasion when she had to, for which, according to her, she deserves a lot of credit.

“Again, pressure was on her [Sabalenka],” said Navratilova. “The expectations are so high when you're at the top like that. And so close yet so far. Did not play her best tennis in those two finals when she got there. And she played her best tennis when she had to. Didn't play her best tennis throughout the match, but she played her best tennis when she had to, which is kudos. That's even harder to bring it when you have to.

Navratilova then went on to highlight that Anisimova will be a ‘bit disappointed’ after not being able to take advantage in the second set when she managed to come back from 2-0 down to 3-2 up. Navratilova also stated that Anisimova must try to be ‘nicer’ to herself and stay more positive despite the result.

“Well, I think she [Anisimova] felt that she had chances in that, because she was up a break,” said Navratilova. “She went down from two-love to three-two serving. And I think she was a bit disappointed that she didn't play better in those moments and started playing a little cleaner tennis. But not good enough for Sabalenka as she got more confidence after she kind of escaped in that first set. And Amanda still didn't struggle with the lights anymore. That seemed to only bother her in the first set. But she was okay emotionally, but still a little too much of a rollercoaster. I think she needs to be nicer to herself, period. She's such a perfectionist that she gets disappointed too easily. And she needs to just stay more positive the whole time.”