Sabalenka: "My mentality was completely wrong, I have learned the lesson"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 7 Sep 2025 | 03.01

Aryna Sabalenka, champion of the US Open 2025. Photo: Getty

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Aryna Sabalenka once again showed why she is the world number one. The Belarusian clinched a solid victory against Amanda Anisimova to confirm herself as the new champion of the US Open 2025, successfully defending her title from the previous season.

Minutes after lifting the trophy under the spotlight at Arthur Ashe, Sabalenka went to the press conference to assess her great triumph, a reward for a season in which she continued to improve. Aryna revealed the hard lessons she learned that led her to the New York final.

"I received very tough lessons early in the season. I lost a couple of Grand Slam finals, and winning this one means a lot to defend the title. After the Australian Open, I thought the right thing to do was to forget it and move on, but then the same thing happened to me at Roland Garros. After Roland Garros, I thought that maybe it was time to reflect on those finals and learn something because I didn't want it to repeat over and over.

I was in Mykonos, reading my book, enjoying the views, and I was wondering: 'Why did I let my emotions dominate me in those two finals?'. I thought that if I reached the final, it meant I was going to win it, and I didn't expect the players to come out fighting. I thought everything would go my way, which was a completely wrong mindset."

The mindset shift

"Upon reaching this final, I decided to control my emotions. I wasn't going to let them dominate me, no matter what happened in the match. Whether I got broken on serve or played incredible tennis. My mindset was simply to step onto the court and fight for every point, regardless of the situation. I just had to focus on myself and what I needed to do to win the match. I have learned the lesson, and I hope it won't happen again if I play another final, so I'll have more control."

About her father

"When he passed away, I felt very depressed. It was a tough time for me and my family, but at that moment, I decided to take it as motivation to write our family name into history. I know that he... I want to believe that I feel his protection from above, and I know it became my strength. It means a lot.

Mental health is very important. I have been working with a psychologist for four or five years. At first, she helped me a lot, especially in understanding that everything is possible if you strive and dedicate your time and life to your dreams. It helped me a lot. Then I realized I was depending too much on her. I thought: 'Well, she has to fix me, she has to give me an answer.' I wasn't taking responsibility for my actions. I made the same mistake over and over, and I got upset because she wasn't helping me."

The right decision

"At some point, I decided that I had to take responsibility and figure it out for myself, pondering, analyzing, and understanding myself better. I think it worked really well, it was the right decision. Perhaps someday I'll feel I need someone to talk to, I need someone to share with, that I need help.

Right now, I am very proud of myself for taking responsibility for my actions, and it helped me a lot to understand myself, to understand why I react to something specific. Just to understand myself better. It was a big change, and that's why now, under pressure, I can handle my emotions much better because I understand better who I am."