Aryna Sabalenka thought she had mastered it all: her power, her nerves, her destiny. She believed she was ready for anything after rising to the summit of women’s tennis. But her crushing French Open final loss to Coco Gauff proved otherwise, exposing her vulnerability under suffocating pressure and swirling winds. Yet that heartbreak, paired with her heartbreaking Australian Open defeat, became the fuel for a fierce resurgence. Now crowned US Open champion and back on top of the sport, Sabalenka’s redemption arc has even drawn praise from Donald Trump, who sent her a special mention in a letter addressed to Belarusian president Aleksandar Lukashenko.

Aryna Sabalenka once again delivered for her country, capturing her fourth Grand Slam title. The Belarusian star defeated Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (3), successfully defending her crown in New York and marking her second consecutive title at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka’s nerves held steady under the bright lights, and she showed the composure of a true champion when Anisimova mounted a late surge, sealing the win with a flawless tie-break performance that electrified the crowd.

Trump, who did not attend the women’s final, was present in the stands a day later to witness Carlos Alcaraz defeat Jannik Sinner in the men’s final. Yet he made sure to acknowledge Sabalenka’s triumph in writing, sending a congratulatory message through American presidential envoy John Coale, who personally delivered it during a meeting with Belarusian leaders in Minsk.

Trump’s letter read: “We are equally pleased to acknowledge Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka’s tremendous win at the US Open in New York. She represents the very best of your country and we know you must be proud of her accomplishments. As you look forward to the coming year, we pray for your health and well-being as well as continued progress towards shared goals on behalf of the United States and Belarusian people.”

Sabalenka has carefully distanced herself from Lukashenko since the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago, competing under a neutral flag as Belarus remains closely aligned with Russia and excluded from ATP and WTA recognition. 

Even so, she remains a symbol of pride for many Belarusians. Her US Open triumph served as a reminder of her poise and strength, both as a competitor and as a figure representing resilience.

Now a four-time major champion, Sabalenka stands shoulder to shoulder with greats such as Kim Clijsters, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Naomi Osaka, and Hana Mandlikova. Her dominance on hard courts has been particularly remarkable, with two Australian Open titles and two US Open crowns to her name. She has now reached six consecutive Grand Slam finals on hard courts, an extraordinary feat that underscores her consistency and mental steel.

Sabalenka’s latest victory also carried an added sense of revenge and redemption. Just eight weeks earlier, Anisimova had overpowered her in their Wimbledon semi-final clash. This time, Sabalenka flipped the script, striking first and striking smart, using her first-strike tennis to control the rallies while adding just enough margin to outmaneuver her opponent. Most importantly, she kept her emotions in check when the match tightened, showing how much she has grown as a competitor.

With the China Open set to begin later this month, Sabalenka will ride into Beijing brimming with confidence. Now widely seen as the face of women’s tennis, she has also been vocal about equal pay and the recognition of women’s sports. With her game peaking and her voice growing louder, Aryna Sabalenka is not just dominating the courts; she is shaping the future of the sport itself.

Aryna Sabalenka speaks out on equal pay post-US Open

Aryna Sabalenka etched her name in history by successfully defending her US Open title, becoming the first player to do so since Serena Williams in 2014, while also securing her World No. 1 ranking furthest. Riding the wave of her triumph, Sabalenka appeared on the Jay Shetty Podcast, where she was asked about the pressure of competing in a world where men’s and women’s sports are often viewed differently.

Sabalenka responded with a powerful message: “I’m trying not to focus on that because I just try to represent women’s sport best way possible. And of course, we are all fighting for equal prize money and everything, but also at the end of the day, it’s all about who brings show, who brings people into the sport. But I think like now the prize money is equal. Everything is getting closer and closer between men and women. So I of course, I love it, and that’s what women athletes are fighting for.”

She also took a moment to acknowledge trailblazer Billie Jean King, whose fight for equality laid the groundwork for today’s progress. “Thank you, Billie Jean King, for fighting for us. I agree that we deserve to be paid the same. Of course, like the level is different just because of the physical abilities but the work that we putting is it’s equal to the work that they putting. Of course the level can be different but it just, it’s life. That men are meant to be stronger than women.”

Sabalenka’s words struck a chord, reflecting the determination of women athletes who continue to demand parity in sport. Her perspective captures the spirit of a generation determined to close the gap and create a level playing field.

As the tour shifts toward the Asian swing, Sabalenka is expected to lead the charge once again. With her voice growing louder on equality and her game sharper than ever, she represents not just a champion on the court, but a force shaping the future of tennis.