Sabalenka wants to ‘put family’s name in tennis history’ after US Open triumph
US Open 2024 winner Aryna Sabalenka dedicated her title triumph to her family, who never gave up on her.
Sabalenka won her maiden US Open title as she beat USA’s Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a thrilling final at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The three-time Grand Slam champion continued her dominance at the hard court, where she lost just one out of last 28 matches. She overcame the heartbreak from last year’s US Open final loss to USA’s Coco Gauff and emerged victorious this time.
Sabalenka admitted that a lot has been happening in her personal life, as she lost her father Sergiy 5 years ago from meningitis at just 43, and her former boyfriend this March. The Belarusian said that her aim was to put her family’s name in tennis history. She took pride in herself and was grateful to her family for not giving up on her tennis dream.
Sabalenka wins US Open 2024
“After I lost my father, it has always been my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis,” the 26-year-old said.
“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.”
“I know that I have to go for it. That’s the only way it works for me,” said Sabalenka.
“Every time I stop my arms and the ball flies in the stands, so a long time ago I decided for myself in those important moments I just have to go for it, I have to swing.”
Sabalenka took over her familiar weapons of super-charged serves and brutal groundstrokes to defeat the sixth-ranked Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka finished her Grand Slam season this year at 18-1. Her only defeat came against teenager Mirra Andreeva in the French Open. She missed the Wimbledon and Paris Olympics. After successfully defending her Australian Open title earlier this year, she also lifted the US Open at Flushing Meadows.