Aryna Sabalenka has delivered her verdict on Donald Trump’s decision to snub the women’s final in favour of tonight’s men’s final.
Set to be contested between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, it sees the reunion of this already legendary rivalry on the biggest stage yet again.
Having already clashed in the last two major finals, this will inarguably be the most important of the year, given it will not only decide the US Open champion, but also who will be the world number one afterwards too.
There’s so much intrigue, and yet it will still be tough to follow what was an enthralling women’s final between Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova.
In her post-match press conference, the former was asked about the men’s final. However, she was quizzed on the presence of Trump rather than the tennis set to be played.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Donald Trump watching the men’s US Open final
Asked if she had any opinions about his decision to skip the women’s final in favour of the men’s, a confused look shot across her face as she seemed to question the relevance of this question.
Replying in Russian, she admitted: “It just seems to me that he is the president, he probably has his own schedule, and still, probably, Alcaraz and Sinner after such incredible two finals that they played in Paris and London, it will be a really spectacular match, and I don’t think it is some kind of disrespect for women’s tennis.
“I know that he follows women’s tennis and supports it, so one hundred percent. It’s like he probably has his own busy schedule.”
She was keen to emphasise that she did not feel disrespected on behalf of women’s tennis, but it does feel like a slight on it, especially given Anisimova is the only American to have made it to that stage across the men’s and women’s events.
Aryna Sabalenka’s emotional reaction to winning the US Open title
Sabalenka is an open and emotional individual, and she makes tennis better because of these qualities.
She is a phenomenal role model to girls everywhere, as someone who is more than happy to say and exhibit how she feels at any given moment.
However, last night felt different.
When she finally converted that match point to win the tiebreak and the match, the way in which she dropped to the floor and stayed there for some time spoke volumes.
This has been an arduous year for the Belarusian, laden with near-misses. Two Grand Slam finals lost and an additional semi-final defeat marked a hugely consistent run of form, but it was not good enough for the world number one.
She needed this US Open title, and that emotional outpouring immediately after proves it.
Everybody clearly saw it as well, with Billie Jean King and Rod Laver both congratulating Sabalenka on social media soon after she lifted the trophy.
Whether Trump had been in the stands or not will have little impact on her enjoyment of securing her fourth Grand Slam title.
