US OPEN

September 6, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/T. Townsend

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, once again. Straight sets. Just 75 minutes. Your thoughts?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, that was a tough match. A tricky, tricky game. I'm just super happy that, first of all, I was able to get the win. Secondly, to close the match in straight sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Not necessarily talking about the No. 1 thing, but what do people not understand what it's like to be under pressure all year long on the tour in general when you're a top player?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. Probably they don't understand how hard it is mentally and physically to keep up the level and mentally stay kind of like disconnected from that, because the moment you start thinking about that, like, you lose it.

So probably they don't understand, like, how tough mentally it is not to focus on that and, like, constantly focusing on improving yourself.

Q. When you do win, does it feel like there's not much time to ever really soak it in, because then you're onto the next week?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, the schedule is pretty, pretty rough, and there is not much time to really enjoy the wins. Well, that's our life. That's our schedule. You just have to learn how to, you know, at least enjoy a couple days and then leave it, leave it in the past and move into the next one.

Q. A couple of players have spoken this week about when they're on the court, sometimes there's something, like, a flow state or a zone where you feel like everything is going to go right. What's it like for you when you have such moments?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, actually, when I feel such moments, I'm just trying to not to think about that and bringing my focus back into the game, because I feel like the moment you get stuck in that feeling, it can actually destroy you.

So the moment I feel like, oh, nothing can go wrong, I'm, like, okay, I'm bringing myself back into the game, like what I have to do right now in this point to win it.

Q. So is it right to say you don't enjoy those moments, because you realize it's not best for you?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I do enjoy that moment, but I also understand that I have to bring my focus back into the other things, because it can destroy you. Like, you start to focus on, oh, everything is going right, right, and while you're thinking about that, you're missing the game plan, you're missing the game, actually.

Q. Obviously you look at the final score. It looks like it was easy for you, but obviously it was a tough match for you. How does a match like today help you moving forward in a tournament like this?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I love matches like that, because it was really challenging, and going through tough challenges and overcoming those challenges, it definitely gives you strength and really strong belief that you can do it.

So these kind of matches is really, really, really like a boost of confidence.

Q. Along those lines, the beginning of today's match was, you know, kind of back and forth. I think it was four consecutive breaks. Can you just kind of talk about the beginning of the match, the pressure that Taylor was putting on you, and ultimately, you know, any adjustments that you had to make?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, she was returning really well. She saw where I'm going. She was blocking really well. I guess playing doubles and mixed doubles really helped her to react on, like, heavy serve.

Plus, I think, yeah, it's been a while since I played with the roof closed, so I feel like we both were struggling a little bit to see the ball, and that's why the return got a little bit off.

That was really challenging beginning, but then I had to adjust my serve, the speed, the spin, bring the variety into my service games just so I keep her guessing. It was tricky. Tricky start of the match, for sure.

Q. I just wondered, I'm curious where you are with the situation and the scenarios with the World No. 1 position?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I completely separate myself from that, because it's just guessing. It's like if, if, if, if. I feel like for me, I'm just focusing on myself. I'm just trying to bring my best tennis every time I'm competing out there and basically fight for it.

Like, these scenarios, they always, like, you know, one didn't work. Then there is another one. There is always, like, scenarios for something. There is always, like, different statistics that social media brings, so I'm just completely trying to stay away from it.

Q. Is it different when something like that feels in your control to when it is out of your control, when it depends on other people's results?

ARYNA SABALENKA: It basically is the same, because now it's in my control, so I'm just trying to control what I can. When it's out of my control, it's out of my control. Why would I even think about that?

Q. When it comes to maybe, like, preparation and established routines, how do you balance experimenting and trying new things without maybe getting too far away from what has worked in the past?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think it's really important to have, like, the right people around you and people you trust that they're going to bring whatever. When you trust it, you're not scared of trying it on court.

I'm pretty good in, like, bringing something new into the game. When I feel like, okay, it doesn't work today, I'll just putting it aside, and I'm focusing on things that are working at the moment.

Q. Obviously we don't know yet because they're out on the court right now, but would you take each one and describe those two players?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, if we're talking about Marta, she's really doing well lately and moving really well, bringing the fight on court, fire.

So it's been really challenging playing her in the past. I had a lot of really tough battles against her. She really makes you work for every point.

Sometimes you have to build the point couple times to find the right shot to finish the point. You just have to be patient when you play with her.

If it's Linda, another great player. Just won Wimbledon. Really aggressive style of the game. Serving really well, playing super fast. You've got to stay really low to be able to handle that power and energy.

Also, I played a couple of matches against her in the past, which was also wasn't, like, the easiest matches.

So doesn't matter whom I face, it's going to be a great battle, great fight, and I'm really excited.