'I have to trust myself': Aryna Sabalenka ready for revenge against Amanda Anisimova in path to second US Open title

Aryna Sabalenka is through to the 2025 US Open final, and the Belarusian star is ready to channel lessons from past matches as she prepares for another shot at Grand Slam glory. The world number one battled through a tricky three-setter against American star Jessica Pegula, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

In a post-match press conference, Sabalenka reflected on her performance in a tense semifinal, the mental challenges of high-pressure points, and the rematches that lie ahead. After her hard-fought win, Sabalenka praised her own level of play, saying, "Well, I think I really played great tennis, and I think I handled that pressure really well. I'm super proud of this win, and yeah, happy to be in another final." Her calm, measured approach during critical moments was a highlight of the US Open match and a reminder of her growing maturity as one of the game’s top players.

Sabalenka on match point pressure

One particularly dramatic moment came when Sabalenka faced a match point. She admitted it was an emotional experience but stressed the importance of staying focused on the next point. "I was super emotional. I was just like, oh my gosh, no way, it’s happening. Please, just close this match. Of course, I was emotional, and then there was another kind of easy shot that I… didn’t make the right decision. But, you know, the whole match, I just kept telling myself to focus on the next one, just one step at a time. Don’t worry about the past. Just try better in the next point. I badly wanted to give myself another opportunity, another final, and I want to prove to myself that I learned those tough lessons and I can do better in the finals.".

Sabalenka’s focus on the present, rather than dwelling on past mistakes, reflects a maturity that has become a hallmark of her career. When asked whether she recalled previous high-pressure moments, such as her first Australian Open final in 2023, Sabalenka explained that she concentrated on each point individually. "It's okay if you didn’t close it from the first match point. You’re playing great tennis, just go and try better," she said.

Learning from past finals

The Belarusian also addressed the emotional challenges she has faced off the court. In reference to her controversial on-court interview in Paris earlier this year, Sabalenka promised a different approach moving forward. "What happened in Paris is definitely not going to happen here, and never. I learned that lesson, and I will never behave that way. I was super emotional; I let it go and let emotions take control over me. It's not who I am, and it's never going to happen again," she stated.

Match versus Nick Kyrgios?

The conversation also touched on a more light-hearted topic: a potential upcoming exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, billed as a "battle of the sexes" in Hong Kong this January. Sabalenka described the match as a "cool idea" and "spectacular to watch," promising to give her all on the court. When asked about the potential location and timing, she confirmed that plans were not yet finalized but emphasized the goal of staging the event where it could draw a large audience.

Revenge against Amanda Anisimova for the US Open trophy

When discussing her upcoming final against Amanda Anisimova, Sabalenka reflected on their previous match at Wimbledon. "I think I have to trust myself and go through my shots because in that match at Wimbledon, I was doubting a lot of my decisions. That was the main thing causing a lot of unforced errors. I gave her a lot of opportunities… I feel like the key will be to trust myself," she said. The Belarusian emphasised that mental clarity and confidence will be crucial in seizing the moment and claiming another Grand Slam title.

As she advances to the US Open final, Sabalenka’s combination of mental toughness, self-belief, and on-court skill make her a formidable contender. Her reflections in the press conference offer fans a glimpse into the focus and determination driving her pursuit of tennis glory and a second US Open trophy.