Aryna Sabalenka delivers perfect response about how to celebrate US Open victory
By Lee Vowell
Aryna Sabalenka had a dominant run at the US Open. Sure, she dropped one set in the tournament, but rarely did she come close to losing another. That was until the final when Sabalenka ran into an in-form and feisty Jessica Pegula. The Belarusian found a way to defeat the American, however, and took the victory 7-5 7-5.
There are a number of reasons Sabalenka is a refreshing presence on the WTA tour. The most obvious one is that she is a great player who can hit with overpowering pace from either wing. Her average forehand speed through most of the US Open was the fastest of any player, man or woman. During the tournament, she also showed an ability to add some touch when needed.
Another reason Sabalenka is so good for tennis is that she is an open book when it comes to her feelings. WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek is a fantastic player, but she is more tight-lipped about most things. She does rightfully complain about the tennis schedule and social media trolls, but her way of playing and winning does not make many feel as if they are taking the ride with the Pole, only watching her success.
Aryna Sabalenka gets very honest about how she will celebrate her US Open victory
Sabalenka makes fans seem more of a part of her experience. Whether she loses or wins - or has a personal issue that she is dealing with off the court - she seems like one of us and not simply better at tennis than we are. She is, of course, but she would never hold that over us.
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In an interview with ESPN after winning the US Open, Sabalenka was asked how she and her team would celebrate the victory and the Belarusian said, "We’re probably gonna drink a lot."
Some players might have said, "Just go back to work and look ahead to the next tournament." Not Sabalenka. She is a great tennis player but she is also a real human being as well. She was going to celebrate the way a lot of us might. That not only makes her a two-time Australian Open winner and a new US Open victor, but it makes her a champion of tennis fans too.
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