'Helped me to stay focused': Aryna Sabalenka credits book after clinching US Open 2025 title

World number one Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus clinched her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open on Saturday. She defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to successfully defend her US Open championship.Sabalenka revealed that her success came after she changed her mental approach following losses in the Australian and French Open finals this year."After the Australian Open, I thought that the right way would be just to forget it and move on, but then the same thing happened at the French Open. So after the French Open I figured that, 'Okay, maybe it's time for me to sit back and to look at those finals and to maybe learn something,' because I didn't want it to happen again and again and again," she said.During a vacation in Mykonos, Sabalenka found inspiration in James Doty's self-help memoir "Into the Magic Shop."
"Reading that book, I realised a lot of things. That book really helped me to stay focused and to focus on the right things on important points. I was just thinking that why would I let my emotions to take control over me in those two finals? I thought that, okay, if I made it to the final, it means that I'm going to win it," she added.The 27-year-old maintained emotional control throughout Saturday's match. "I'm not going to let (my emotions) take control over me, and doesn't matter what happens in the match," Sabalenka further stated.After her victory, Sabalenka dropped to the baseline in celebration. She later attended the press conference with a champagne bottle."This one felt different. You know, this one felt like I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one. I knew that with the hard work we put in, like, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season. To bring the fight and be able to handle my emotions the way I did in this final, it means a lot. I'm super proud right now of myself."Sabalenka also remembered her father Sergey, who passed away from meningitis in 2019 at age 43."When he passed away, you know, I was very depressed. It was a tough moment for me, for my family. But in that moment, I decided to take it as motivation, to put our family name in the history. I want to believe, and I think I feel his protection from up there, and I know that he became my power," she concluded.