‘I’m really proud of myself that all those years I have been…’ – Aryna Sabalenka’s bold statement after losing US Open Final 2023
Aryna Sabalenka (Source: Twitter)
In the Women’s US Open 2023 final, Aryna Sabalenka locked horns with Coco Gauff, which was a thrilling encounter, and the winner of the competition was decided in the third and final set of the game. Gauff defeated Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, and 6-2. After the loss, the former shared her thoughts about the tournament and how she wants to finish the year.
If we talk about Sabalenka, she has the best season so far this year that a particular Tennis player dreams of in the WTA Tour. This year she has reached at least the semifinals of all four major tournaments. The Belarus-born player won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, three singles titles overall (including her second victory at the 1000 event in Madrid, defeating No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the final), and, starting on Monday, becoming the new world No. 1 for the first time in her career.
Gauff was moving really well and defending really great: Aryna Sabalenka
“Becoming a world No. 1, it’s a huge improvement and achievement. I’m really proud of myself that all those years I have been working so hard helped me to become World No. 1. But for me, it’s more about the (year-end) world No. 1, not just like (becoming) World No. 1 and then next week you’re second. It’s good that I can say I have been world No. 1, but I really would like to finish the year as world No. 1. That’s why I’m still positive and I’m still motivated,” Sabalenka was quoted as saying in a post-match press conference.
“In the first set, I was dealing with my emotions quite good. I was focused on myself, not on the crowd or the way [Gauff] moves. … Then the second set I started probably overthinking, and because of that I started kind of losing my power. The tables turned in that second set, where Gauff never dropped serve and drew more errors from Sabalenka than in the first set. Gauff was moving really well and defending really great, better than anybody else. So, I always had to play like an extra ball,” the 25-year-old added.
