Aryna Sabalenka: Resilience

if she wins this she'll be thinking of her father she said wanted her to be number one that's why I fight so hard she years ago I was all over the place I could just get upset or frustrated by something and just easily lose the match and right now I'm just trying to um no matter what's going on I'm just trying to work a lot on my mindset thank you there was really tough in that final match the whole preseason I I was working a lot on the variation of my game and mentally I think since last year I I'm much stronger okay [Applause] wow yes you made this is like has incorporated that move a lot more this season sabalenka the transition to the net and there's the Finish it's a nice combination great overhead as well [Applause] [Music] and she is so devastating in the first two shots of any [Music] rally oh yes smooth progress today for the number two seed come on it's the moment we've all been waiting for yes the union the Union of Souls zalena and mini zalena comparing tattoos there I think for a moment that was really adorable moment um I just looked up and I saw on the big screen like me me and I was I was it was so cute and I it's such an um motivation to keep going to to inspire the Young Generation I mean that's the main goal and um yeah that was very adorable moment 2023 sabalenka was a different player [Applause] this is brilliant a [Applause] br victory that's [Applause] brilliant was just absolutely Relentless at the moment from sabalenka just Rel oh wow well for the fourth consecutive year arena sabalenka is in the US Open quarterfinals you just mentioned now you're mentally tougher if you had to pinpoint uh the most important mental health tip from all the work that you've done on your mind the main thing to stay mentally healthy is to be surrounded by the right people you you know when you feel all the support when you feel that your back is covered that's the main thing you know and and you know that whatever whatever going to happen in your life you have people who's going to support you who's going to stand stand with you and who's going to who's going to be there there with you that's the most important part and another trick is try to enjoy you know enjoy the journey you know at the beginning when I just started playing on tour I was putting so much pressure lots of expectations when you get in that top level it's definitely have to be focused on tennis it have to be your life but at the same time off Court you just have to like forget about tennis and just try to enjoy your life find like little things which brings you a joy in life yeah basically that's it and it's helped me to kind of like you know be able to enjoy the journey you know which is not not not always easy to do AR it's not what you [Applause] [Music] it's good coverage by samanka game set mat Seena two sets to love you know what I mean [Applause] such a good angle so measur G and first set saala unable to the first service game in the first set got it yeah that was very difficult I got a little emotional and had this little flashback on the last year final um meaning the the crowd atmosphere that's where it's going seconds left go by six games to three one CLE and today in the match I was like no no no it's not going to happen again you you have to control your emotions you have to focus on yourself and I'm really glad that the lesson is learned and I was able to control my emotions and I was able to uh close this match in two sets set match by 6276 it's time to welcome the players for the women's singles championship [Applause] from the United States Jessica [Applause] pigula and Arena savena I'm really happy to see that in those Sky moments I'm able to stay focused and just try try to do my best and focusing on my tennis love 15 that's good yeah she's more than just a big b tennis player isn't she now [Applause] [Music] [Applause] that's just so good game in first sets sabalenka saena a set away from her first US Open sler by seven games to [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] a yeah I worked really really hard on my mindset yeah I think I made really huge Improvement on on that calmness on that uh crucial moment I'm staying staying in control um I'm I'm really proud I'm actually really really proud of myself set match Zeno two sets to Le 75 75 she's wanted this so badly for so long in Arena saala has now won the US Open she put so much stress on herself didn't she Lance I mean you know this you won this thing in 98 what is that moment like just relief what what is it what is that right there for I think this one means more to sabica given everything she's gone through the first one may be the most important but it has not been an easy year in any regard for Arena today was another incredible match you were down in both sets you almost turned it around like you did in the semifinal what made it so difficult against Arena tonight oh I wish she would have at least let me get one set god um we had obviously another a tough match in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and she's been playing some amazing Hardcore Tennis and if not the best hardcore player in the world so I knew it was going to be challenging and tough I mean she's super powerful goes for her shots she's definitely not going to give you anything and um she can take the racket out of your hand a lot of times so um yeah I was happy I was able to fight back and give myself a chance but in the end it wasn't enough but I'm glad I was able to stay in it and keep giving myself opportunities we saw some tears last year when you lost in the final and now we see some different type of tear winning this tournament what are your emotions like right now you know everything I'm thinking I remember all those tough losses in the past here and and you know just it's going to sound easy but never give up on your dream and just keep keep trying keep working hard and if you're really working hard and you you you sacrificing everything for your dream you're going to get it one day so I'm just I'm just super proud of myself I never say that but really guys I'm super proud of myself I'm proud of my team that ladies and gentlemen your 2024 US Open Women's Champion Arena sabalenka [Applause] [Music]