'Terrible' finals were 'worth it' as Aryna Sabalenka banishes demons to retain US Open crown against Amanda Anisimova

After losing finals at the Australian Open and French Open this year, Aryna Sabalenka finally claimed a Grand Slam trophy again as she retained her US Open crown, beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6(3) at Flushing Meadows. Home favourite Anisimova put together a spirited comeback in the second set only for a calm Sabalenka to win a tie-break and seal the fourth major title of her career.

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Aryna Sabalenka admitted that her final losses were "worth it" as they led to her winning the US Open for the second year in a row.

The Belarusian beat Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6(3) at Flushing Meadows to retain her crown and seal her fourth Grand Slam title.

Sabalenka reached the finals of the Australia Open and French Open this year, losing both, but banished her demons from those defeats to finally get her hands on a major trophy again.

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"In those finals I was really terrible, but it was worth it right?" Sabalenka said before accepting her trophy.

"Kids back home watching me, this morning I received a video from the tennis school where I started. They were cheering me on and I was a little bit crying this morning, and it was that moment I realised I could not let them down."

Sabalenka has not always held her nerves perfectly, but in learning from those defeats she remained calm under pressure and held off a valiant fightback from Anisimova in the second set.

She continued: "It's just crazy. All those tough lessons were worth this one. I'm speechless right now but I want to say congrats to Amanda on reaching back-to-back final Slams. I know how much it hurts losing in the finals. But trust me the moment you win your first final, and you're going to win one, you play incredible tennis."

This was Sabalenka's sixth consecutive Grand Slam final on hard courts and she is becoming increasingly at home on the Australian and American surfaces, winning both majors twice now.

And even against home favourites Anisimova and Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals, she felt a swell of support behind her from the crowd at Flushing Meadows.

"I love it here. I love the support," she added. "I feel like throughout the years we've built a relationship and you guys give me so much support.

"My first year here when I had to play back-to-back Americans I was like 'No way guys.' But then coming back next year I felt more support and this year I felt even more support. I'm super excited to come back next year and I hope you're gonna cheer for me.

"I want to thank everyone who came here, who flew in to be there in my box. I'm going to reach a lot more finals and I don't care where you are in the world I want you in my box."

'I DIDN'T FIGHT HARD ENOUGH FOR MY DREAMS'

Anisimova was able to bury her Iga Swiatek scar tissue with a straight-sets win over her in the semi-finals after a dismal Wimbledon final loss to the Polish star.

That final, 56 days ago, was a chastening 6-0 6-0 loss but the American was vastly improved in New York and pushed Sabalenka to the limit, forcing a tie-break.

"It's been a great summer, losing in two finals in a row is great but it's also been super hard," said 24-year-old Anisimova.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Amanda Anisimova of the United States reacts after losing to Aryna Sabalenka during their Women's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

"I think I didn't fight hard enough for my dreams today. But I just want to say congrats to Aryna, you are so incredible. I'm in awe of what you've accomplished and you keep on achieving so many incredible things.

"It's been an incredible fortnight and I absolutely love playing here. It's been a dream of mine to play in the final at the US Open. I tried to go as far as I could and to share this moment with you is really special.

"I want to say a big thank you to my team and you've helped me get to this point. It's been a crazy, crazy journey."

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