Sabalenka: "I would be more than happy to lose the number one spot, but win the US Open"

Aryna Sabalenka once again demonstrated why she is the number one in the world. In a very competitive and hard-fought match against Linda Noskova, the Belarusian found herself a break down in the third set and with very bad feelings, but she managed to persevere and turn the score around with some very good tennis (7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7)), which allows her to stay at the top of the WTA ranking for a few more days and reach the semifinals of the US Open.

However, in the press conference following her victory, the Belarusian made one thing clear: she prefers to win the US Open, even if it means losing the number one spot in the world, as a victory for Elena Rybakina would take the top ranking from her. She also talked about how she turned around a match that was becoming very difficult and the surge of energy and motivation it gives her to face the final stretch of the New York Grand Slam.

Sabalenka prefers to win the US Open even if it means losing the number one in the world

"I would be more than happy to lose the number one and win the US Open and achieve three consecutive titles. It sounds great. I am very happy to have put myself in the position of having the opportunity to win three titles in a row, although I am still far from achieving it."

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"What I learned in Australia is that it is very important to shut out all the noise and not have that constantly in your head. There is nothing wrong with thinking about it, as long as you are focused on yourself and ready to fight."

Sabalenka closed the match with a second serve ace

"I feel like I had a bit of luck. I think she was expecting a topspin serve to her backhand. I was lucky she didn’t read my serve. I am happy to have finished the match with a second serve ace, obviously. I couldn’t be happier. Yes, it was a very tough and closely matched battle. I am very happy to have maintained an aggressive attitude throughout the match and to have really trusted my shots."

Sabalenka confessed that she felt very close to elimination at the US Open

"I simply felt that at one point in the third set, she was clearly serving better than I was and putting a lot of pressure on me. But I am happy because I was able to set that thought aside and concentrate point by point, literally trying to build something bigger at that moment."

"I managed to break her serve at 4-3. I wouldn’t say it was luck, but I am very happy with the way I played that game. I think I had a very high level of intensity and that gave me a lot of confidence to know I could still win the match."

Sabalenka analyzed her two possible rivals in the semifinals: Pegula and Navarro

"Jessica is a really tough player to face. I can say she has improved a lot in recent years, she has improved her game and really puts a lot of pressure on me. But I love playing against her because it’s a battle, a struggle, and I enjoy being under pressure and overcoming difficult challenges. Playing against her will be a very intense tennis match. I would be very excited if it were her."

"I haven't played against Emma in a long time, but she is a great player, plays very intelligent tennis, and has a lot of variety in her shots. In the last matches I played against her, it was very difficult to face her because you have to work a lot to win each point. So physically, it’s not an easy match to manage, but as I said before, I am prepared."

Sabalenka assured how important this victory has been for her confidence

"Knowing that physically my body can handle these kinds of matches again makes me very happy. And of course, these tight matches give you a lot of confidence because they show that you are back and ready to do whatever it takes to achieve victory. This match definitely gives me a boost of energy and motivation."

Why stop at two? 👀 pic.twitter.com/lLAeke2UG1

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2026

Sabalenka explained what it's like to experience a comeback from within

"I think every time you overcome something, you feel speechless. Every time you are a break down or facing a match point and then manage to win, you always feel speechless because at that moment you feel like everything is lost, but being able to overcome that feeling and achieve victory... what can you say? You are just very happy at that moment."

Sabalenka praised Noskova's game

"She is one of those players who can handle power very well and return very strong shots from the baseline. She has a great serve. It’s a challenge, but I don’t know. I enjoy playing against any type of player when the points are longer and you have to endure longer in the exchanges. I also enjoy when it’s something faster, like a battle to see who can impose more power. It’s also very fun and exciting," concluded Aryna Sabalenka, who managed to avoid elimination and is already in the semifinals of the US Open.
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka: "Estaría más que feliz perdiendo el número uno, pero ganando el US Open"