She was in full celebration mode—Aryna Sabalenka, reigning as the modern hard‑court queen, relished every electrifying moment after not just winning, but defending her U.S. Open crown. With that dazzling trophy raised high, she stood victorious, and everything that followed was a testament to her resilience, raw emotion, and vibrant personality.
Her win was emphatic: a straight‑sets 6‑3, 7‑6(3) defeat of American Amanda Anisimova—her fourth Grand Slam title and her second consecutive U.S. Open victory. Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams (2012–2014) to win back‑to‑back U.S. Open titles But it was how she celebrated that resonated as much as the win itself.
The final was an intense showcase of power and precision. Sabalenka kept her unforced errors to just 15, while her opponent tallied 29 In the second set’s nerve‑shredding tiebreak, she held her nerve and clinched the match in commanding fashion . It was the culmination of a season marked by near misses—runner‑up finishes at the Australian and French Opens, and a semifinal exit at Wimbledon. But here, under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, she turned heartbreak into triumph
As the final point hit, she didn’t just win—she celebrated. She dropped to her knees, overcome with emotion, then sprang up to embrace her coaches and teammates in a moment of communal joy . She sprinted into the stands for a touching embrace and a kiss with her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis—every bit as personal as the win was professional
And then there was the speech. Sabalenka, ever candid, couldn’t finish without acknowledging the people who had stood by her: her team, her family, even chiding her coaches for the tough love they’d weathered from her earlier in the year In true signature form, she stopped mid‑flow to make sure every single one of them felt the spotlight.
Then came champagne—no traditional glassware needed. The locker room was prepped with plastic sheeting, and soon, Sabalenka was spraying bubbly everywhere, laughing, celebrating, unapologetically soaking in the moment
That public moment of joy wasn’t the first of its kind for her. In 2024, after her maiden U.S. Open triumph, she famously popped champagne with her team, even slapping her coach’s bald head in celebration. She danced with her trophy, joking that “if you work hard and sacrifice everything for your dream, you’re going to get it one day”. Now, a year later, that same exuberance mixed with a deeper sense of victory, born from lessons learned and battles fought.
Sabalenka’s celebration wasn’t just personal—it was symbolic. She has reached every hard‑court major final since 2022, solidifying her status as a powerhouse of the modern tour (Reuters). Her demeanor—equal parts steely competitor and effervescent spirit—makes her a standout both on and off the court.
One moment that had fans buzzing: she celebrated her win—and her 100th Grand Slam match victory—with a playful slap on her trainer’s bald head, just before donning a pair of goggles and popping champagne during the ceremonyThese aren’t reserved or glamorous images—they’re joyful, real, and uniquely Aryna.
Another poignant symbol of the celebration was her choice of attire and accessory. She posed for the glamorous champion’s photoshoot in a sleek gown paired with a rainbow‑gemmed Audemars Piguet watch, a prize‑worthy piece worth nearly $118,000, a spectacle that nearly rivaled the trophy itself
Emotion, celebration, and authenticity—this was not a moment of polished formality, but of heartfelt, unfiltered joy. She laughed, she cried, she thanked, she hugged, she sprayed champagne. With everything she had built, learned, and endured that year, this win was more than a title; it was a statement.
Here’s the essence: Sabalenka didn’t just win her match—she owned every frame of the moment. She was tearful, exuberant, introspective, outwardly affectionate. She was champagne‑soaked, trophy‑clenched, emotionally available, and delightfully spontaneous. Her celebration was real life in high definition—a physical, emotional release that felt as powerful as the strokes she delivered on court.
This isn’t just about trophies or stats; it’s about raw, unforgettable expression. In that electric mix of victory and vulnerability, Sabalenka offered a glimpse of what sport—and sportsmanship—can truly look like when a champion embraces it all: the pressure, the passion, the people, and the pure joy.
