(Video) Heartbroken Amanda Anisimova Sobs Inconsolably After US Open Final Defeat to Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka scripted history by defending her US Open title with a straight-set win over Amanda Anisimova.

(Video) Heartbroken Amanda Anisimova Sobs Inconsolably After US Open Final Defeat to Aryna Sabalenka

Amanda Anisimova cries after defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final (Image via X/Jose Morgado, The Tennis Letter)

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For the second time in her career, Amanda Anisimova failed to cross the final hurdle in Grand Slam events. In the US Open final, held on Saturday (September 6), the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd saw Aryna Sabalenka become a champion for the second consecutive time.

Anisimova later revealed she failed to overcome nerves, which was also the reason why she froze in her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, which resulted in a 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek. The American, right after her defeat, was seen weeping into her towel as US Open director Stacey Allaster was seen consoling her.

Here’s the video:

But Sabalenka was convinced that Anisimova one day will become a Grand Slam champion. Sabalenka said during the trophy presentation:

I know how much it hurts losing in the finals. But trust me, the moment you win your first one- and you’re going to win it- you play incredible tennis. Girl, you’re going to enjoy it even more after these tough losses.

Anisimova has come a long way since taking a mental health break in 2023. She made her return to tennis last year and was outside the top 100. But on Monday, she will reach her career-best No. 4 ranking, removing compatriot Jessica Pegula.

The win made Sabalenka the first woman to defend the US Open trophy since 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams (2014). Sabalenka, now 4-6 in head-to-head meetings over Anisimova, lost to her when they faced off in this year’s Wimbledon semifinal.

Sabalenka has now clinched four Grand Slam singles titles on hard courts and is tied with Kim Clijsters, Naomi Osaka, Hana Mandlikova, and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario with four Major singles titles. She has become only the third player to reach the singles finals of the Australian Open and US Open in three back-to-back years after Steffi Graf, and Martina Hingis.

The 27-year-old is also the third player in the Open Era to win her first four Major singles on hard courts, following Osaka and Clijsters.

Aryna Sabalenka reveals a book helped her deal with her emotions during the US Open final

Aryna Sabalenka thought that the right way to handle her disappointment over her Australian Open failure was to forget about it and move on. But when she once again suffered defeat, this time in the French Open final, the World No.1 decided to reflect and learn from those two matches to avoid making the same mistakes.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (via US Open)

At the press conference, Sabalenka credited reading a book for handling her emotions much better during the US Open final against Amanda Anisimova.

So, yeah, I was in Mykonos, reading my book, enjoying the view, and I was just thinking, why would I let my emotions take control over me in two finals?

Sabalenka read Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty. Her friends recommended the book to her, and Sabalenka thought the aftermath of the French Open defeat was the right moment for her to pick it up.

It’s actually the way it’s written is very interesting because it’s like a real story, and the guy who learned how to control himself, and yeah, how to not overthink… So it was kind of easy to read. But reading that book, I realized a lot of things. That book really helped me to stay focused and to focus on the right things on important points.

Aryna Sabalenka added

Sabalenka took home $5 million after the win– also the biggest amount an official tennis tournament has offered to a winner. Winner of the Six Kings Slam- an exhibition tournament held in Saudi Arabia, pockets $6 million ($1.5 million is offered only for participation).

Also read: Jannik Sinner Recalls Titanic 2022 US Open Quarterfinal With Carlos Alcaraz Ahead of Their Blockbuster Final