Aryna Sabalenka says she has learned one valuable lesson this year and that's not to relax after reaching a final.
This year, Sabalenka reached nine finals and won four titles. The Belarusian was especially consistent at the Grand Slam level, where she made three finals. Still, the world No. 1 was close to concluding the 2025 season without a Grand Slam title won on the year after losing finals at the Australian Open and the French Open, before claiming the US Open main glory.
In her last tournament of the year, Sabalenka fell short in another major final after picking up a two-set defeat to Elena Rybakina in the WTA Finals title match.
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Now, the 27-year-old admits that she probably was not as locked in as she should have been in some finals this season.
Ive learned that if you made the final it doesnt mean that youre gonna win the tournament. Every time I would make my way to the finals, I would think, 'Okay things are going my way, Im gonna win the title,'" the world No. 1 told ESPN Brasil.
What happened to Sabalenka in the biggest Grand Slam matches this year?
Sabalenka entered the Australian Open as the clear favorite to beat Madison Keys, but then got upset in a tight three-setter. At the French Open, the Belarusian was up by a set against Coco Gauff before she started to spray unforced errors - ended up losing in three sets. At Wimbledon, the world No. 1 was stunned in the semifinal by Amanda Anisimova.
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Finally, Sabalenka made a desired breakthrough at the US Open, where she beat Anisimova in the final 6-3 7-6 (3).
Going into this final I decided for myself that I'm going to control my emotions. I'm not going to let them take control over me, and doesn't matter what happens in the match," the 27-year-old said after beating Anisimova in the US Open final.
Sabalenka enters the 2026 season with 21 titles in her collection, of which four have come at the Grand Slam stage.
