When the stakes soared, Aryna Sabalenka soared even higher. The Belarusian made history by becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to clinch consecutive US Open titles. With thunderous strokes and unshakable composure, she delivered a commanding performance that left Arthur Ashe Stadium in awe.
However, Sabalenka’s triumph came with a bittersweet moment. While the victory was deeply special for her, she remained mindful of her opponent’s heartbreak. After the match, she extended a heartfelt gesture toward the home favorite, acknowledging the weight of the devastating defeat that had left an entire stadium’s dreams shattered.
What Did Aryna Sabalenka Say About Amanda Anisimova After American’s US Open Heartbreak?
Sabalenka thrives on hard courts, with her four Grand Slam titles all coming on the surface. The 2024-25 season brought her agonizingly close to perfection on multiple occasions. She finished runner-up at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros, then saw her Wimbledon campaign cut short in the semifinals by none other than Amanda Anisimova.
But after a commanding run through the draw, she wasn’t about to let the US Open crown slip away. With rain forcing the roof shut over Arthur Ashe Stadium, the World No. 1 set the tone from the opening game.
She cruised through the first set 6-3, building momentum with each thunderous forehand. Though Anisimova pushed back in the second set, Sabalenka steadied herself when it mattered most, closing out the tiebreak 7-6(3) to defend her title successfully.
While the moment was historic and joyous for Sabalenka, it carried equal pain for Anisimova, who had battled through two weeks of tennis to reach her second straight Grand Slam final. The American’s dream of winning her first Major on home soil crumbled in those final points. Emotions overwhelmed her as she sat courtside, tears streaming down her face while trying to process what had just happened.
You were formidable this fortnight, Amanda pic.twitter.com/3lDrPr1T2V
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2025
What resonated with many, including Anisimova herself, was Sabalenka’s grace in victory. During her championship speech, the Belarusian took time to console her opponent directly. She praised Anisimova’s back-to-back Grand Slam finals and offered the kind of encouragement that only a champion can give.
“All the tough lessons make this one worth it. I’m speechless right now. Congrats Amanda on reaching back to back Slam finals. I know how much it hurts, losing in the final. But trust me, the moment you’re going to win the first one.. and you are going to win it,” Sabalenka said.
Aryna Sabalenka had kind words for Anisimova after beating her in U.S. Open final
“All the tough lessons make this one worth it. I’m speechless right now. Congrats Amanda on reaching back to back Slam finals. I know how much it hurts, losing in the final. But trust me, the… pic.twitter.com/c6dYdAcgRp
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2025
The victory also carried extra significance for Sabalenka personally. She not only avenged her Wimbledon semifinal loss to Anisimova but also improved her head-to-head record against the American to 4-6.
How Did Sabalenka Hail Anisimova’s ‘Comeback’ Following US Open Win?
Anisimova’s journey to this final represents one of tennis’s most remarkable comebacks. The American reached two Grand Slam finals and broke back into the top 10 after stepping away from professional tennis in 2023 for mental health reasons. She returned to competition in January 2024, making her path to this final even more extraordinary.
Sabalenka clearly understood the weight of that journey. She praised not just Anisimova’s tennis but the entire comeback story that brought her to this stage. The champion offered words that showed she truly grasped what her opponent had overcome just to stand across the net from her.
“You play incredible tennis. Congrats to you and your team on the things you’ve achieved after your comeback. Girl, you’re gonna enjoy it even more after the tough losses in the final,” she said.
The statistics told the story of how pressure affected both players differently. Anisimova struggled with 29 unforced errors compared to 22 winners, while her nerves showed in the crucial moments.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, played cleaner tennis with just one ace and 13 winners against 15 unforced errors. After Sabalenka’s confident prediction about Anisimova’s future success, all eyes will be on how quickly the American can transform that encouragement into her first Grand Slam breakthrough.
