Aryna Sabalenka won her second US Open title earlier this month, and a fourth Grand Slam title.
It brought to an end what had been a long and arduous Grand Slam campaign for the Belarusian, which saw her lose in two successive finals and the semi-finals of another event.
Whilst every major title marks a huge milestone in a player’s career, there are naturally some that outrank others.
For Aryna Sabalenka, there’s an argument to suggest that this marks her most important by some distance.
Aryna Sabalenka’s instant reaction to winning the US Open title
Her reaction immediately after winning the final really helps to support this notion, as it exhibited the outpouring of relief after so many months of stress and hardships.
Upon converting her match point, she dropped to her knees and covered her face, as is customary with most Grand Slam champions.
However, she stayed there, crumpled up, for nearly ten seconds, sobbing at the weight of what she had just achieved.
Sabalenka has reacted similarly in the past after winning Grand Slam titles, but never before has she seemed so emotional and reacted so viscerally.
The elation and relief were obvious for all to see, and proved why this is her most important Grand Slam title to date.
Is this Aryna Sabalenka’s most important Grand Slam title?
Realistically, the only comparable Grand Slam title when rating importance in Sabalenka’s career is her maiden one, won in 2023 at the Australian Open.
There, as Elena Rybakina’s forehand sailed long, she lay on her back and flitted between tears and laughter before she rose to hug her opponent.
It was equally as emotional, having finally achieved her life’s work after so many years of trying.
And yet, the unique dynamic of this 2025 campaign could justify this US Open title being of greater importance.
Especially given the struggles endured throughout the year, winning a Grand Slam at the last opportunity of the year to avoid going without one despite being the world number one.
Speaking afterwards, Sabalenka would justify this argument, stating: “This one felt different. It felt like I had to overcome a lot of things to get it.
“I knew that [because of] the hard work we put in, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season.”
Chris Evert explained why this US Open title was more important than ever for Sabalenka, and her emotional reaction only justifies why it is her most important major title.
