US OPEN

August 31, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/C. Bucsa

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. We will go right to questions.

Q. A comprehensive performance for you. What's your assessment of the match tonight?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I was super happy with the straight-sets win. Second set was a little bit tricky, but I'm glad that I was able to close it without dropping my serve.

Q. What do you attribute that to? Maybe feeling almost too much in control at a certain point? Because you started so dominant.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I felt I really in control and then there was really long when I was 4-2 up, and I felt like I should have broke her serve. Yeah, she played some great points in that game.

Yeah, maybe I got a little bit, like, frustrated, because, like, I didn't close that game, because I was so close. But overall, yeah, happy with my performance.

Q. I think it's 11 straight Grand Slam quarterfinals minimum for you. I think on the men's side, Alcaraz is 11 out of 12. How difficult is it to post those kind of numbers and how proud are you to have been that consistent?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, of course, I'm super proud. I think that's incredible achievement. I think for me the key was balancing on- and off-the-court life. I think I've done a great job on balancing really hard work and also great recovery and some fun time outside of tennis court. I think that's been the key.

I feel like I'm really enjoying my journey, my life. I think that's the main thing.

Q. How much do you pay attention to the rest of the tournament as it's going on? There is an interesting match tomorrow with Coco and Naomi. Will you watch it, or do you shut off on your off days?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, of course tennis always in the background. I'm always watching some matches. Sort of analyzing a little bit. Not really, but a little bit. Just watching what's going on on the tournament.

Yeah, of course I'm going to watch that match. I'm really interested in the level, in the game. I think it's going to be a great battle. So I'm excited to watch that match.

Q. A lot of people talk about the pressures of being No. 1. But I feel the longer you've been here the more perks and fun things you've gotten to do off the court. In the last couple of weeks and months, is there anything that sticks out in your mind?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think pressure is part of our lives, and I think pressure is normal. I think it's important to focus on some fun stuff.

I'm enjoying being World No. 1. I'm enjoying this pressure. I'm working really hard to be where I am. I think for me it's important to focus on my game and on bringing, try to bring my best tennis and just to fight.

I know I'll have my chances, but for me, it's a fun life if you're really enjoying your job.

Q. Any particular favorite thing you've gotten to do?

ARYNA SABALENKA: As World No. 1?

Q. Fun activity.

ARYNA SABALENKA: As World No. 1?

Q. Yes, as a result of maybe being No. 1.

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. Being World No. 1 opens a lot of doors. I meet a lot of great people. I start working with a lot of great brands. I think that's the beauty of being in sport and being one of the top players, that you have opportunity to meet incredible people and learn about life outside of tennis.

Q. Don't tell us too much, Aryna, but tell us something about the art of off-court life, downtime, what kind of vacations do you like best? What are your escapes? Who have been some of the most fun, special people you have met as celebrities and the like?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, my favorite vacation definitely is going to Greece nowadays. I really fell in love with that place. Always excited to go there.

Special people for me is my family, my team. Yeah, just the closest people.

Celebrities, let's just not talk about that (smiling).

Q. A little bit on Greece, do you like the small getaways, beaches? What makes Greece so special?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I like to go in the boat, go to wild beaches and just stay with my people and have fun, enjoy the beautiful water of Greece, I mean sea. That's my favorite escape nowadays.

Q. Just sort of off-beat question. One of your service games at the end of the match was slightly delayed because of all the kids.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah.

Q. With the oversized balls. You probably haven't been in this situation too much, but was there ever a time when you were about to lose and maybe...

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yes, actually, I do remember.

Q. Got either motivated, mad? What was your reaction?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I remember -- I don't remember how many years ago, but I think I won Doha, I don't remember which year it was, but I was about to lose a match, I was set down, and it was really close to finish. That's what I remember.

Then it was like second-set tiebreaker. I don't remember against whom I was playing, to be honest. But I remember seeing WTA people, media, kids coming closer to take autographs.

I was, like, Not yet, guys. (Laughter.) I guess we're going to stay here for another set. And I won the match.

When I saw that, I got annoyed, but I used it as motivation.

Q. In Doha?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, it was in Doha. I don't remember which year. But I won that tournament.

So I guess, yeah, maybe sometimes someone need to annoy me, and then I play great tennis. Can you annoy me? My team annoys me all the time. It doesn't work. Kidding. (Laughter.)