"Not from the state like Jessica Pegula, but I’ll be damned if Aryna Sabalenka isn't the most New York figure to play US Open 2024" - Andrea Petkovic

Andrea Petkovic recently shared her thoughts on the final singles match between Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula at the 2024 US Open. The Belarusian won the New York Major after which Petkovic described Sabalenka as the "quintessential New York figure" to compete in the last Grand Slam of the year.

Sabalenka, who began her season by winning the first Grand Slam of the year, the 2024 Australian Open, by defeating Zheng Qinwen in the final, also won the last Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, after she defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in the final.

This win marked Sabalenka's first US Open title and her third Grand Slam title overall. The former World No. 1 also became the first player since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win both the hardcourt Slams in the same year—the Australian Open and the US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka had defeated Priscilla Hon, Lucia Bronzetti, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Elise Mertens, Zheng Qinwen, and Emma Navarro to advance to the final at Flushing Meadows.

After Sabalenka's US Open win, Petkovic explained that despite not being born in New York like Paula Badosa, Emma Navarro, or her final opponent Jessica Pegula, Sabalenka embodies the "loud," "charismatic," "glistening," "chaotic," and "overwhelming" spirit of the city.

"She may not have been born in New York like Paula Badosa or Emma Navarro. She may not even be from the state of New York like Jess Pegula. But I’ll be damned if Aryna Sabalenka is not the most quintessential New York figure to play this year’s US Open. Loud, charismatic, glistening. Chaotic, overwhelming and very much in your face. I love her, just as much as I love New York," Andrea Petkovic wrote on Substack.

Petkovic also hailed Aryna Sabalenka as the "best hardcourt player" of the season and a "fun" player to watch.

"With the fastest forehand on average of the tournament, men and women, making her racquet an exorcist of past demons, she marched to the top with only one set lost. Resilience was etched onto Aryna’s spirit and she wears it proudly like a cape. She is the last queen standing, the best hardcourt player of the season. And a flipping fun one, too," she added .

Aryna Sabalenka on winning US Open 2024: "It's always been my dream"

Speaking to the press following her win over Jessica Pegula in the final of the 2024 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka expressed that the US Open has been a "special place" for her and winning the title in New York has been a dream come true.

"It's also very special place here, the US Open. I also had a lot of tough losses in the past. I was always hoping that one day I'll be able to hold this beautiful trophy. It's always been my dream," Sabalenka said .

Sabalenka went on to share that lifting the trophy was an indescribable feeling and stated:

"That's why it's very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger. I don't know how to describe that feeling . You're crying, you're laughing, you're just, you know, you feel all these emotions at the same time. That's the best feeling. I really wish everyone could or can experience that," she added .

Last year, Aryna Sabalenka reached the final at the US Open before losing the title to Coco Gauff.