Sabalenka opens up: "I was desperate for a victory like this"

Carlos Navarro - 11 Sep 2026 | 04:24
Aryna Sabalenka US Open 2026 WTA Rueda de prensa

The Belarusian showed her highest level in many months to surpass Pegula and fight for a new Grand Slam... and she let loose her joy and relief shortly after.

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Sabalenka shared the keys to her victory in the press conference.

It has been a complicated and turbulent few months for Aryna Sabalenka. Early defeats piled up as critical voices pointed to a certain mental dispersion, that feeling that the Belarusian was not completely focused at 100% on this sport. All of that seems to have taken a back seat: the triumph over Noskova in the super tiebreak of the third set and the carefree attitude of not thinking about being number one freed the player from Minsk as she approached her semifinals, where she steamrolled over Jessica Pegula without any mercy.

Do you feel relief or joy? How important was such a victory for her? Sabalenka's words reflect a determination and drive to keep reaching new heights beyond any doubt, a breath of fresh air for those who doubted her capacity to concentrate in the coming months. Still, she doesn't want to stop here... and that's why she is already savoring a possible showdown in the final against Coco Gauff, whom she prefers to confront for revenge after their last final in New York.

This is what Sabalenka said after defeating Pegula in the semifinals of the 2026 US Open

Feelings after a colossal victory to advance to the final

“I’m super happy to have played at such a high level, especially against Jess. In our last matches, she’s been able to push me to the limit, it’s always very difficult to achieve a victory against her. Achieving this win in straight sets has really impressed me, honestly. I’m very happy. Yes, I was almost desperate to achieve this victory. I’ve suffered some tough defeats on grass against Jess, and I didn’t play well in the middle part of the season. In a way, I feel this is my last push of the year regarding Grand Slams. I needed to reach the final and, of course, I want to cross the finish line. The mindset was simple: I was ready. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to achieve victory.”

On Pegula's words, who said it was Aryna's best match of the year

"I think this year, especially at the beginning of the season, I played a lot of incredible matches at a very high level. I think I had a fantastic performance today. I felt that every decision I made turned into the right decision. I would say that against Jess, compared to the last matches we’ve played, this was the best level I’ve shown this year, yes.”

On whether the defeat in Berlin against Jessica motivated her: Pegula claimed she did something to "piss off" Aryna

“No, I think in Berlin she played at an incredible level. There wasn’t much I could do. She made me feel that I would have few opportunities in a match like today’s, but I knew I had to face a match like this focused from start to finish. That helped me stay concentrated and perform at this level. But come on, Jess, you can’t say that. Better not to make me angry (laughs).”

On the strangeness of arriving at the US Open as number one... and possibly losing it despite winning the title

“It’s not something I care about. Jokes aside, I completely understand how hard it is to reach number one in the world. It takes a lot of work, and yes, it was always one of my goals. Right now, there’s not much I can do about it: I didn’t do well in the middle of the season. Elena took it and played very well. I can only focus on myself, stay in the present, and try to give my best right now so that the fight is very close and I can reclaim it.

Yes, it feels a bit strange. You can perform incredibly in this tournament but still see how the number one is taken away from you. That’s fine. It’s sports. It’s something I love. It’s the beauty of sports: everyone is chasing everyone, and what matters are the little things, the details, that you improve and in which you become a better person.”

On what she will do to block out noise and pressure in the hours leading up to the final

“I’m going to stick to the same routines as always. In the last two months, I’ve learned to silence all the outside noise: that’s the meaning behind all those tough defeats, the ability to learn how to stay focused on myself and forget about the outside noise. It sounds simple, but it’s not easy to achieve on many occasions. Nothing is going to change for me.”

Possible rivals in a historic final, Rybakina or Gauff

“Both are incredible players, and I’ve had great finals against both of them this year. If it’s Elena, it’s going to be a tough duel. A great server, she has improved over the years from the baseline: mentally and physically it’s going to be a very difficult match. If it’s Coco, I need my revenge for that US Open. I don’t remember the year, but I need my revenge. She’s a very demanding player, moving exceptionally, serving much better, and making you work for every point. I love every challenge. I love what that physical challenge against Coco would be like, and I’m eager to face her.”

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka se sincera: "Estaba desesperada por una victoria así"