"They were awake watching me, 100% they're not going to sleep well": Sabalenka apologised to parents in post US Open final speech

Aryna Sabalenka was left teary eyed and emotional after crumbling against Coco Gauff in the final of the 2023 US Open. She won the first set before it all fell apart.

As a result, she smashed her racket off the court, but also had an emotional post match speech afterwards. She apologised to her mother and rest of her family which was asked about in the press conference.

She said that her family would've likely stayed up late to watch her due to the time difference and as a result, she felt she let them down. But she also went on to speak about how they have helped her career and without them, she wouldn't be playing.

"I mean, I don't know what time is it there right now," she said. "It's probably night. For me, it's important to get good sleep for them, you know. So they were awake, watching me. I mean, now they have to go to bed, but 100% they're not going to sleep well. So that's what I apologize for."

"Well, without them, I wouldn't be here," she went on. "They have been pushing themselves so hard so I would have this chance to become a tennis player. Yeah, I would say that my family did a good job. If not for them, I wouldn't be here. I really appreciate for everything they did, yeah."