Aryna Sabalenka Wins US Open, Defeating American Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka won her fourth Grand Slam championship.

The 27-year-old Belarusian player defeated American Amanda Anisimova in a straight-sets victory of 6-3, 7-6 on Saturday, Sept. 6. When Sabalenka won, she dropped to her knees in tears of joy on the court.

Sabalenka is the first player in more than a decade to win back-to-back U.S. Open titles. The last person to defend their title was now-retired tennis icon Serena Williams in 2014.

“It’s just crazy,” the champion said in an on-court interview following her win, per CNN. “All those tough lessons [were] worth this one. I’m speechless right now.”

She continued, “I love it here. I love the support. I like throughout the years we built a kind of relationship, and you guys give me so much support … Thank you guys for bringing the best atmosphere.”

Sabalenka was also quick to offer Anisimova encouraging words following the young tennis player’s defeat. The two women embraced on the court following Sabalenka’s win. Later, the Grand Slam champ told her competitor, “I know how much it hurts losing in the finals, but trust me … you’re going to win it. You play incredible tennis.”

For Anisimova, the loss marks another tough defeat, and it comes after a summer full of wins and losses, in which she made the Wimbledon final, but couldn’t win a game during the matchup. 

The Florida resident lost 6-0, 6-0 to Iga Świątek at the All-England Club in July.

Earlier this week, Anisimova got the chance to avenge her loss, meeting the Polish tennis star in the quarterfinals — and winning in resounding fashion, 6-4, 6-3.

To get to the Wimbledon final, Anisimova beat Sabalenka, 27, in the semifinal round, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Afterwards, the Belarusian star called Anisimova the “better player” that day, but she added that she was “pissed” off by something the American did during their match.

“I was just trying to chase the ball, and yeah, she was already celebrating it, and I was like, ‘I mean, that’s a bit early.’ But then she kind of pissed me off saying, ‘That’s what she [Sabalenka] does all the time,’ ” she told reporters.

A year ago, Anisimova was ranked No. 50 in the world, as she embarked on her comeback after taking two years off from the sport for a mental health break.

On Thursday night, after she rallied back and beat Naomi Osaka in three sets, the New Jersey-born athlete told the crowd about her long-held dream to play in the US Open final.

“Oh my God, it means the world,” Anisimova said. “I’m trying to process that right now. It’s just absolutely a dream come true. This has been a dream of mine, like, forever to be in the US Open final— and obviously, the hope is to be the champion.”

Following her loss, Anisimova told the crowd, “I mean, losing in two finals in a row is great but it’s also super hard. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today but I just want to say congrats to Aryna.”