Aryna Sabalenka The second Grand Slam title of the 2023 season is not destined to be won who lost three to Cori Gauff in the final of the US Open.
However, the tennis player who will occupy the top position in the world of tennis will use this result as an opportunity to learn as he aims to finish this season as world number 1.
“There are some positive things I got, some not really positive, but it doesn’t matter,” said Sabalenka. “This is a process. We all learn. And I think this is a lesson for me to learn, and then come back stronger.”
READ ALSO : Iga Swiatek promises to fight again after losing first place
The 2023 Australian Open champion was leading by one set in this season’s US Open final, but the sixth seed showed great fighting spirit to turn things around and win in three sets, so that the home player was able to break the second seed’s unbeaten record in the hard-hit Grand Slam. court this season.
“In the first set, I handled my emotions quite well. I focused on myself, not the audience or the way Cori moved. “Then in the second set, I probably started to think too much and because of that, I started to lose my strength,” added Sabalenka.
The direction of the match changed in the second set after winning in Cincinnati a few weeks ago, Gauff did not lose serve again and provoked more errors from the second seed than in the first set.
“Cori moved really well and defended amazingly, better than anyone. So, I always have to play with an extra ball,” said Sabalenka.
“Sometimes I can feel emotional. This time on the court, I was overthinking and I missed some balls, not easy balls, but balls that I shouldn’t have missed.”
“I made quite a lot of unforced errors in the second set and from there I made him believe that he could win the match this time. I felt too emotional after the second set.”
Despite this defeat, the 2023 Australian Open champion will be ranked 1st in the world as of Monday (11/9).
“Maybe that’s why I don’t feel too stressed at the moment,” Aryna Sabalenka said with a smile. “Becoming world number 1 tennis player, that’s great progress and achievement. I am really proud of myself that I have trained so hard all this time which has helped me become world number 1.”
“It’s great that I can say I was world number 1, but I really want to end the season as world number 1. That’s why I’m still thinking positive and still motivated.”
