Sabalenka and the most surreal image: “He promised me he would put it on his forehead. I hope it’s a little lower”

Aryna Sabalenka is the happiest woman in the world this Saturday. The Belarusian was named US Open champion after a tough final where she defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5.

After the match, the new champion climbed into the stands to celebrate with his team and He left us one of the photos of the day he started stroking his physical trainer’s forehead.

“Jason promised me that if he made it to the finals, he would put it on his forehead. It would have been a little lower… that would have been better, right?” he laughed in the press room.

Sabalenka made sure that getting the title of ‘great’ New Yorker was always one of her tennis goals.

“My God, I’m speechless right now. So many times I thought I was about to get it the US Open title, which has always been one of my dreams. I finally got this nice trophy and it means a lot to me,” he said at the foot of the court.

It was the third ‘big’ of his career for Minsk and his first US Openwhich is a vindication for him since last year he lost in the final at Flushing Meadows against the American Coco Gauff (n.3).

Sabalenka assured that it was “two very difficult weeks” competition in the Big Apple and “more than certain” that Pegula, who made his debut this afternoon in the final of a major, will win a grand slam.

“In the second set, I was sincerely praying to get this win…“, he joked in reference to a section where Pegula was about to force a third set.

Regarding her disappointments in recent years in New York (this was her fourth consecutive semifinal), Sabalenka said she stood by her beliefs and her possibilities.

“This is going to sound hackneyed, but it’s about never giving up on your dreams, keep trying and keep working hard.. If you really work hard and sacrifice everything for your dream, one day you will achieve it. I’m super proud of myself. “I never say it, but I’m really proud of myself and my team,” she said.

“You are like my family. I can’t imagine my tennis life and my personal life without you. i love you so much“Thank you for being who you are,” he added in reference to his team before collecting the trophy and the $3.6 million prize awarded by the US Open.

Number one, next goal?

Along with Iga Swiatek at the top of the WTA rankings, Sabalenka, at the post-match press conference, He spoke about the possibility of regaining the first position in the ranking.

“I try not to focus on the ranking, to be honest.. “Not like I’m checking where I’ll be after the tournament,” he explained.

“I just try to focus on myself and I know that in every tournament I am able to play my best tennis. and by bringing this fighting spirit to every match, I will once again be number one in the world. My focus is on myself, on improving as a player and as a person. Yes, I hope that one day I will find myself at the top of the ranking,” he added.

Finally, Sabalenka also spoke about her father, who died in 2019and about the mark he wants to leave on the tennis world.

“Since the loss of my father, my goal has always been to put my family’s name in the history of tennis. Every time I see my name on a trophy, I am proud of myself, my family for not giving up on my dream and that. They did everything to keep it going,” he explained.

“I had this opportunity in life so it means a lot. Yes, it’s always been my dream. I still can’t believe that I, together with my team, have achieved so much,” he said.