Aryna Sabalenka ready to 'drink a lot' in celebration after US Open 2024 triumph, calls herself the 'happiest person in the world'
Aryna Sabalenka revealed that she and her team would 'drink a lot' in celebration after she defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 to win the 2024 US Open. The Belarusian also called herself the happiest person in the world after her victory
Sabalenka and Pegula battled it out under the lights at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the summit clash at the US Open on Saturday, September 7. It was a rematch of the Cincinnati Open final in August and the result of the match turned out to be the same, with Sabalenka winning in straight sets.
Adding the US Open title to her Australian Open title this year, the Belarusian joined an elite list of women who have won two hard-court Grand Slam titles in a season. She is only the fifth in the list that includes Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, and Angelique Kerber.
In a post-match interview, Sabalenka was asked how she and her team plan to celebrate.
“We’re probably gonna drink a lot,” the 26-year-old replied.
Sabalenka expressed her happiness after earning her third Grand Slam title. She said:
“I’m speechless. I can’t put two words together. I’m super happy. I remember all the tough losses here at the US Open. They say you’re gonna see the reason later. I see the reason right now. I had to go through tough lessons to hold this beautiful trophy. I think I’m the happiest person in the world right now.”
Notably, this was Sabalenka's second consecutive US Open final. She bounced back from last year's defeat to Coco Gauff.
"I figured out how to control my emotions" - Aryna Sabalenka opens up about how she managed to turn her career around
During an interview after her victory over Jessica Pegula in the US Open final, Aryna Sabalenka opened up about how becoming mentally strong has helped her turn her career around. Top performances were expected of her but she was not being able to deliver.
However, since the past two years, Sabalenka has notched up the most women's singles Grand Slam wins.
“I think mentally I became really strong. I’ve been through a lot on and off the court," Aryna Sabalenka said. Even when things aren’t going my way I just keep reminding myself ‘Come on Aryna. You’ve been through a lot. It’s just a tennis match. You can handle these emotions. You just have to focus on the things you have to do to win. Slowly things will get better for you.'"
"I think that was the biggest change. I guess I figured out how to control my emotions,” she added.
Following her US Open win, Aryna Sabalenka is currently on a 12-match winning streak. The World No. 2 has won 46 out of 57 matches so far in 2024, with three titles to her name.
Sabalenka is next scheduled to compete at the China Open in Beijing, which starts on September 25.