Chris Evert has been keen to emphasise why this US Open will be particularly important for Aryna Sabalenka, as she reaches a second final in as many years.
However, that is a notion that could apply to anyone.
Every player dreams of winning a major title, and therefore it cannot be said that any one individual craves it more than another.
Aryna Sabalenka, though, is as passionate and expressive as they come.
It is for that reason, and another key one, that Evert has made this argument.
Chris Evert explains why Aryna Sabalenka is desperate for this US Open title
Speaking live on ESPN, she gave her key takeaway from the clash between Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula by uplifting women’s tennis: “They’re playing all the exciting matches, and Aryna Sabalenka, you know, that’s why she’s number one. She pulls through these tough, tough matches, and she finds a way.”
The 18-time Grand Slam champion then explained why Sabalenka will seemingly value this title above all others, should she win it: “And even though she hasn’t won a slam, this is so important to her to win this one because this would be the only slam she wins this year, but she’s still been the most consistent in all the slams in tournaments throughout the year and she just is a great champion.
“I just think she really showed us so much empowerment and so much power and so much strength. She’s a great role model for kids.”
Evert then sent a heartfelt message to Pegula, keen to ease the pain she will be feeling after such a defeat.
Aryna Sabalenka deserves a Grand Slam title
Sabalenka could join an unwanted list if she fails to win the US Open final, of elite-level players who failed to win a single Grand Slam despite being the world number one for the bulk of the year.
However, this would be a wholly unfair reflection on how her 2025 has panned out.
At the Australian Open, she came up against an inspired Madison Keys, who reached a level even she likely didn’t know she had.
Then, at the French Open, the conditions played a huge role in her collapse from one set up.
Wimbledon was a strange one, as despite playing below her usual standards throughout the event, Sabalenka found herself in the semi-finals.
She can have no qualms about the manner of her exit there.
And now, she is in yet another major final, having beaten Pegula.
Sabalenka, despite going without a title, has been the outstanding player on the WTA again this year. She deserves a Grand Slam to solidify that notion.
