The tennis world is buzzing once again as the final Grand Slam of the year gets underway at Flushing Meadows. This time, all eyes are on world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who enters the 2025 US Open as the defending champion. Her mission? To achieve what has not been done in over a decade successfully defend the women’s singles title in New York.
Breaking a Long-Standing Drought
It’s hard to believe, but the US Open has not seen a repeat women’s champion since the legendary Serena Williams. Serena pulled off an incredible three-peat, lifting the trophy in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Since then, the women’s draw at the US Open has been unpredictable, producing a different champion every single year.
Sabalenka is determined to change that narrative. Speaking to reporters ahead of the tournament, she admitted, “My thought is to change that… wow, that’s insane, you know, how unpredictable women’s tennis is, right? Should we change it? Should we try at least to change it?”
Her words capture both the challenge and the opportunity that lies before her.
The Pressure of Defending in New York
Winning a Grand Slam is hard. Defending it is even harder. And doing it at the US Open, with its electric atmosphere and passionate fans, adds another layer of pressure. Sabalenka acknowledged this openly:
“I think it’s a lot of pressure, definitely. Just because this place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other Slams in some ways.”
Many champions have fallen into the trap of trying too hard to live up to expectations, but Sabalenka believes her experience will help her navigate the storm. “I feel like I’m experienced enough to just focus on myself and try to replicate that result,” she added with confidence.
From Overwhelmed to Inspired
Sabalenka also shared how her relationship with the US Open has evolved over the years. When she first played in New York, the magnitude of the tournament was intimidating.
“The first times I was coming here, I felt it was too big, and I felt like the goal was so far,” she admitted. But as she matured, her outlook shifted. “Maybe the last five or six years, I feel so comfortable and I enjoy this tournament. There is something special about the US Open. The atmosphere in the stadium is insane. The support, people who come watch you play — it’s just an incredible place.”
This love for the tournament might just be the edge she needs in her quest for history.
Lessons from a Challenging Season
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been filled with both brilliance and heartbreak. She came agonizingly close to a historic three-peat at the Australian Open, only to fall in the final. At the French Open, she was denied again at the last hurdle. Wimbledon brought another disappointment, with a semi-final exit.
Yet, instead of dwelling on missed opportunities, Sabalenka sees these setbacks as stepping stones. “All of those tough lessons that I learned this season are only going to make me stronger for the next one,” she explained.
Eyes on the Grand Slam and Number One Ranking
Beyond defending her US Open crown, Sabalenka has another motivation — holding onto her world number one ranking. If she falls short, the top spot could slip away. But she insists she is not obsessing over the numbers.
“Of course ideally I would love to finish the season with a Grand Slam and world number one. But if this goal is not going to be achieved, I’ll still think this season’s been really amazing for me.”
This balance between ambition and perspective may be her strongest asset heading into the tournament.
The Road Ahead
Aryna Sabalenka knows the weight of history is against her. Women’s tennis at the US Open has been unpredictable for over a decade, and the pressure of being the defending champion is enormous. But Sabalenka is no stranger to challenges. With her fierce power, growing maturity, and renewed love for New York’s vibrant atmosphere, she enters the 2025 US Open not just as a contender, but as a woman on a mission.
Will she break the cycle and join Serena Williams as one of the few to defend a US Open crown in the modern era? Tennis fans won’t have to wait long to find out.