Sabalenka Aims For US Open Repeat And World No. 1 Ranking: 'Love This...'

Last Updated:August 23, 2025, 17:15 IST

Aryna Sabalenka seeks to become the first repeat U.S. Open women's champion since Serena Williams, aiming for Grand Slam glory despite pressure.

Aryna Sabalenka (Picture credit: AP)

World number one Aryna Sabalenka aims to apply the lessons from a challenging season to become the first repeat U.S. Open women’s champion in over a decade.

No player has claimed back-to-back singles titles at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams’ “three-peat" from 2012 to 2014. Sabalenka returns to the venue of her 2024 triumph after finishing runner-up at two slams this year and reaching the semi-finals in a third.

“I was trying to ignore that statistic. My thought is to change that. My hope, I’d say," Sabalenka said at a press conference on Friday.

“But, wow, that’s insane, you know, how unpredictable women’s tennis is, right? Should we change it? Should we at least try to change it?"

The Belarusian expressed her happiness about returning to New York despite the unique pressure of defending her title.

“I love this place. I have amazing memories from last year," Sabalenka said. “I think it’s a lot of pressure, definitely. Just because this place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other slams in some ways."

Sabalenka’s former coach Gavin MacMillan, credited with rescuing her career during a serve crisis three years ago, is now working with American Coco Gauff ahead of the tournament.

“I wish them both the very best. Hopefully, everything can work out well for them," Sabalenka said.

“I’m really grateful for his help during tough times. He really helped me with the serve. I’d tried literally everything, and nothing helped. Working with Gavin was the last step before I said, ‘Okay, bye-bye, tennis.’

“I was so desperate, but the moment we started working, I felt like, okay, there’s something here. I definitely have a better feeling about my serve."

The improvement was remarkably swift.

“For me, it was basically, like, a couple of weeks, and I was sort of fixed," she said.

A defeat in New York could cost Sabalenka the number one ranking, but the 27-year-old remains positive and determined despite her lack of major silverware so far.

“I would love to finish the season with a Grand Slam and world number one," she said. “But if this goal is not to be, I’ll still think this season has been really amazing.

“All of those tough lessons that I learned this season are only going to make me stronger for the next one. I’ll work even harder in pre-season to make sure next year is going to be only a year of success, like true success."

(With Reuters Inputs)

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August 23, 2025, 17:15 IST

News sports Sabalenka Aims For US Open Repeat And World No. 1 Ranking: 'Love This...'

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