Aryna Sabalenka's long-awaited victory at the US Open came to fruition in a hard-fought final against American Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka, who had suffered heartbreaking losses in the finals and semifinals of previous editions, finally broke through with a straight-set win of 7-5, 7-5 and clinch US Open 2024 title.
Aryna Sabalenka wins US Open 2024 title
The victory marked Sabalenka's third Grand Slam title and her maiden US Open glory at Flushing Meadows. Her emotional reaction reflected the immense relief and joy of finally overcoming the obstacle that had plagued her previous appearances at the tournament.
"Oh my god. I’m speechless right now," Sabalenka said after the win.
"So many times, I thought I was so close to winning this. It was a dream of mine. Finally, I got this beautiful trophy... it means a lot. It was a difficult couple of weeks. I remember all those tough losses in the past year... it’s gonna sound easy but never give up on your dream. Keep dreaming and keep working hard. If you’re really working hard and you sacrifice everything for your dream, you’re going to get it one day. I’m super proud of myself. I never say that," Sabalenka further said.
Sabalenka, seeded No. 2, dominated the early part of the match, winning five consecutive games to take the first set and establish a 3-0 lead in the second. However, Pegula, ranked No. 6, fought back and narrowed the gap.
Pegula's frustration boiled over when she hit a ball off the video wall, dislodging a panel. This outburst seemed to release some tension, as Pegula gained momentum and won five games in a row.
Despite serving at 5-4 with an opportunity to force a third set, Pegula was unable to hold onto her lead. Sabalenka broke her serve, leveled the second set, and ultimately clinched the match with a three-game surge. Sabalenka's victory was marked by a dramatic collapse to the court as she celebrated her triumph.
Sabalenka's victory at the US Open earned her a substantial prize of $3.6 million, a 20% increase from the previous year's winner. Pegula, who defeated Iga Swiatek to reach the final, received $1.8 million. Sabalenka dedicated her US Open title to her family, expressing that since her father's passing, her goal has been to elevate her family name in the world of tennis. The American title was a significant step towards achieving that goal.
“After I lost my father, it has always been my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis,” said Sabalenka to the reporters after the win.
“Every time I see my name on that trophy, I’m so proud of myself, I’m proud of my family that they never gave up on my dream and that they were doing everything they could to keep me going. I had this opportunity in life so it really means a lot. It has always been my dream," she concluded.
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