“You will win it, and you’re going to enjoy it even more”: Aryna Sabalenka consoles Anisimova after US Open 2025 final

Aryna Sabalenka stood on Arthur Ashe Stadium, her voice still shaky after sealing her second straight US Open crown. The Belarusian had come heartbreakingly close to sweeping the first three majors of 2025, but instead of dwelling on missed chances, she left New York with the trophy that mattered most: a 6-3, 7-6 triumph over Amanda Anisimova in the final.

Sabalenka’s first instinct wasn’t to celebrate her own achievement, but to turn toward her opponent. “First of all, I want to say congrats to Amanda on reaching back-to-back Slam finals,” she told the crowd in her first words during trophy ceremony. “I know how much it hurts losing in the finals, but trust me—the moment you win your first one, and you will win it, you’re playing incredible tennis—you’re going to enjoy it even more after these tough losses.”

The defending champion admitted the victory came as both a relief and a reward. “It’s just crazy, you know. I’m speechless right now,” she said. The hard-fought two-set win was Sabalenka’s 12th title overall, and one that cements her status as the player of the season despite falling just short of the elusive Grand Slam. Her journey through the draw was far from straightforward, with the top seed navigating a challenging run and once again facing the prospect of battling Americans back-to-back on the biggest stage.

Sabalenka confessed that her relationship with the New York crowd had been complicated in the past, but 2025 felt different. “My first year here, when I saw I had to play back-to-back against Americans, I was like, ‘No way, guys, please, I don’t want to play,’” she recalled with a laugh. “But then I came back the next year, again back-to-back against Americans in the semis and then the final, and I felt a bit more support. This year, I felt even more support. I’m super excited to come back next year, and I hope you’ll all cheer for me. Thank you for bringing the best atmosphere—it was remarkable.”

Before tournament officials could hand her the winner’s cheque, Sabalenka stopped the ceremony to thank those closest to her. “Wait, wait, wait—I need to thank my team! I’m not gone yet,” she said, drawing laughter from the stands. “It would be rude to give them such a hard time all year and then not appreciate them in the speech.”

Her words carried extra weight when directed toward Stacey Allaster, the outgoing tournament director. “I’m really sad to hear that you’re retiring after this year. You’ve taken such great care of us. Maybe you’ll consider staying? Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and for all the players. You’re the best.”

Sabalenka then turned to her own tight-knit entourage, who had flown in from Miami and Los Angeles to sit courtside. “You guys are not allowed to skip! Hopefully I’ll reach many more finals, but wherever you are, you’ll be flying to my finals,” she declared. With a smile, she admitted her behaviour wasn’t always easy to manage: “It’s been a tough year, and in those finals I was really terrible towards you—but come on, it was worth it, right? Thank you so much. I love you, you’re my family.”

No speech from Sabalenka would have been complete without acknowledging her partner Georgios Frangulis. “Thank you to my boyfriend, who is always there for me, cheering me on. Without your support, I wouldn’t have been able to make it,” she said, her voice softening."

But perhaps the most emotional moment came when she revealed the inspiration she had drawn that morning. “I know the kids back home are watching me. This morning I received a video from the tennis school where I started—the kids were cheering for me and wishing me all the best. I was crying a little bit, and that was the moment I realized I couldn’t let them down. I had to give them positive vibes. So, Smina, thank you so much for your support.”

The New York crowd roared with approval, sensing that this victory meant more to Sabalenka than just another title. It was a season-defining triumph, one that turned near-misses into motivation and confirmed her as the face of women’s tennis in 2025. “All those tough lessons were worth this one,” she had said at the start of her speech. By the end, it was clear: the lessons had not just been worth it—they had forged a champion.