Aryna Sabalenka’s Grand Slam final nightmare has come to an end.
Despite being the WTA Tour’s number one-ranked player throughout 2025, Aryna Sabalenka had struggled to win on the biggest stages.
Concern for Sabalenka arose after she lost the Australian Open final to Madison Keys and the French Open final to Coco Gauff, before losing in the Wimbledon semi-finals to Amanda Anisimova.
However, the Belarusian quelled any concerns on Saturday evening, defeating Anisimova in the US Open final, 6-3 7-6.
The world number one captured her fourth Grand Slam singles title and her second in a row at the US Open.
Over six years ago, another former US Open champion made a bold prediction concerning Sabalenka, years before the Belarusian won her first Australian Open title at the 2023 Australian Open.
Chris Evert’s prediction for Aryna Sabalenka in 2019
Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, made a bold prediction regarding Aryna Sabalenka’s future Grand Slam chances ahead of the 2019 Australian Open.
Speaking to ESPN in 2019, Evert said: “I have no reason to believe that Sabalenka will not win more than one Grand Slam.
“Why? I see two things. I see hunger and I see boldness. Whether that’s fearlessness or what. It’s tied up, the boldness, fearlessness, confidence.
“That’s her swagger, I see that. I also see hunger. Like this girl wants it. You can see it in her eyes. She’s pretty intense.
“To me, those ingredients, the fact that she has the skill set and the talent she does, she will win more than one Grand Slam in the next few years. That’s my take on her.”
Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 Australian Open, before going on to repeat at the same tournament in 2024.
She won her third major at the 2024 US Open, before capturing her fourth title in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.
Who can stop Aryna Sabalenka?
Aryna Sabalenka has proven yet again that she is a force to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour.
The Belarusian’s US Open victory on Saturday capped off an extremely impressive year at Grand Slams, reaching at least the semi-final stage at all four tournaments.
With all four of her Grand Slam triumphs coming on hard courts, it is hard to envisage anyone but Sabalenka lifting a third Australian Open title in January.
However, some of her closest rivals have extra impetus to win the competition. Coco Gauff will be looking to win her first Australian Open title, while Iga Swiatek will hope to complete the career Grand Slam with victory in Melbourne.
