Even after claiming her first U.S. Open title and third Grand Slam victory, Aryna Sabalenka made it clear she doesn’t see herself as a finished product.
“Maybe someday we’ll see me serve-and-volley,” she joked with a laugh. “I’m not sure if I’m brave enough for that, but maybe I’ll come up with a ‘Plan C.’ Hopefully, we won’t need it, but I’m open to whatever it takes.”
Sabalenka’s 7-5, 7-5 win over Jessica Pegula in the U.S. Open final showed that she is currently one of the best players on hard courts. Ranked No. 2, Sabalenka has a 27-1 record on hard surfaces in major tournaments over the past two years, with two Australian Open titles and a run to the 2023 U.S.
Open final, where she lost to Coco Gauff. The 26-year-old from Belarus also showcased the power of her serve and groundstrokes, which were the fastest among all players in the tournament.
Her powerful game can dominate opponents. Even in crucial moments, she can deliver.
“I know I need to go for it. That’s the only way it works for me because every time I try to play it safe, I stop my arms, and the ball goes into the stands,” Sabalenka said. “So a long time ago, I decided that in important moments, I have to go for it. I have to swing.”
In the first set of Saturday’s match, when it was tied at 5-all, Sabalenka won the last two games.
In the second set, after falling behind 5-3, she came back to win the last four games.
“She played some big tennis,” Pegula said, who will move up to No. 3 in the rankings, “in some crucial moments.”
