Aryna Sabalenka wants ‘family name in the history of tennis’ after US Open win

The Belarussian laid her Flushing Meadows ghosts to relaxation as she beat Jessica Pegula in straight units to win in New York for the primary time.

Sabalenka suffered one among her darkest days when she misplaced final 12 months’s ultimate to Coco Gauff, having taken the primary set.

Victory on Arthur Ashe was Sabalenka’s third grand slam title and aged 26 she has the potential to win many extra, particularly as she is so dominant on the exhausting courts.

And he or she is pushed on by the prospect of creating her late father proud.

“After I misplaced my father, it’s at all times been my aim to place our household title within the historical past of tennis,” she stated.

“Each time I see my title on that trophy, I’m so happy with myself, I’m happy with my household that they by no means gave up on my dream and that they have been doing every little thing they might to maintain me going.

“So I had this chance in life. So it actually means loads.

“It’s been at all times my dream. I nonetheless sort of can’t consider that I used to be in a position to obtain, like me with my staff, we have been in a position to obtain a lot already.”

Sabalenka is at present ranked second on the earth, however she is aware of what she has to do to turn out to be primary once more.

Two grand slams titles have bookended what has in any other case been a troublesome 12 months the place her ex-boyfriend died halfway by the Miami Open, whereas sickness and damage curtailed her French Open and Wimbledon hopes.

That allowed Iga Swiatek to open up an enormous hole as world primary, however Sabalenka is aware of what she has to do with a purpose to regain her place on the summit.

“I’m not attempting to concentrate on rating, to be sincere,” she stated. “It’s not like I’m checking the place I’m going to be after the event.

“I’m simply attempting to concentrate on myself, and I do know that if on every event I’ll be capable of play my greatest tennis and I’ll be capable of convey this combat spirit on every sport, I’ll be capable of turn out to be world primary once more.

“So my focus is on myself, on enhancing myself as a participant and as an individual.

“Hopefully someday I’ll see myself on the highest of the rating.”