Aryna Sabalenka held back tears, said sorry to family for US Open final defeat and ‘fired’ her team
Aryna Sabalenka is starting to make a habit of making accidental jokes while speaking to the crowd after big finals.
After losing the US Open final to Coco Gauff in 2023, the Belarusian ‘fired’ her team as she missed out on the chance to win her second Grand Slam title.
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Sabalenka saw a one-set lead slip away against Gauff in a tough night in New York.
She has made at least the semi-final of every major in 2023 and then became the new world number one just two days after the final.
That did not soften the blow of missing out on a Grand Slam as she fought back the tears as she spoke to the crowd and the TV audience.
She said: “I just want to send a lot of love to my family, they will be awake and watching. Sorry for this result."
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While addressing her team, she added: “Thank you, guys. They know they will be fired after this tournament. As always, we will come back stronger.
“Thank you for everything you do for me and I really appreciate it and love you guys."
The 26-year-old did eventually win her second Grand Slam title as she claimed her second Australian Open title.
Back on the US hard court swing this year and she is already looking back to her best.
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Sabalenka claimed a 6-3 7-5 victory over Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final, the major Masters 1000 event before the 2024 US Open begins.
Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon with a shoulder injury, had beaten world number one Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals and is set to return to second spot in the next WTA rankings update.
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During her speech to the crowd after the match, she made a funny mistake when talking about her boyfriend.
"Last but not least I want to thank my team," she started. "We’ve been through a lot but we’ve never stopped working, never stopped improving ourselves and I’m really happy to have you by my side."
Then addressing her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, she added: "That’s my terrible English, guys! Thank you to my boyfriend to keep me happy every day. Thank you so much."
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They then shared a kiss on court. The 26-year-old started dating Frangulis, the CEO of Oakberry, earlier this year.
It was a first title for Sabalenka since she landed a second consecutive Australian Open success in January, sealing a perfect week for the 26-year-old who did not drop a set.
"This trophy means a lot, it is a really big achievement, especially coming after injury, with this fear of getting injured again," Sabalenka said in her courtside interview, broadcast by Sky Sports.
"My team did everything they could to make sure I felt as good as I can and I am proud of myself I was able to handle all of those emotions."
She added in a separate interview after her win: "I think I was really emotional in Washington and Toronto coming back after after injury.
"I was overreacting, and I just stepped back and realised that I played my great tennis when I was calm and confident, that no matter what's what's going on the court, I'll be able to keep fighting and keep trying my best no matter what the score, what the situation is.
"And I just realised that I have to be that way. There is no, no other way for me if I want to, if I want to do well here and New York."
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Pegula joked that she would rather face Serena Williams in her post match interview given how dominant Sabalenka was, which is worrying for everyone else.
The aura that won her glory down under appears to be back.
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