Aryna Sabalenka celebrates Miami Open title, avoids 'another final' loss

Posted : 31 March 2025

Aryna Sabalenka expressed that her recent near-misses played a significant role in fueling her motivation as she triumphed over Jessica Pegula to win the Miami Open on Saturday. The world number one had experienced defeats in the finals of the Australian Open and Indian Wells earlier this season, but she bounced back with a commanding 7-5, 6-2 victory to secure her return to the winner’s circle.

This win marked Sabalenka's first title in the Sunshine Double, which consists of the prestigious tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. With this achievement, she joined an elite group of players who have earned multiple WTA 1000 titles. Only Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Iga Swiatek, Simona Halep, and Petra Kvitova have more WTA 1000 titles than Sabalenka, who now has eight.

In an interview with the WTA Tour's official website, Sabalenka shared her feelings about the win. She expressed immense satisfaction with her performance in the final, saying, "Finally, I was able to play my best tennis in the final, and I’m just super happy with the result and with the performance." This victory came after a focused mindset heading into the match, where she was determined to fight for every point, regardless of the circumstances.

Sabalenka revealed that her mentality going into the match was to stay focused on herself and remain determined even if Pegula managed to break her. "I didn’t want to lose another final, to be honest," she admitted. "It’s really tough to lose in the final. So if someone would say that, I’d be, like, 'Okay, it’s going to be a battle, I’m ready for that.'"

This victory also marked a significant milestone in Sabalenka's career, as she became the fourth player in the 21st century to win the Miami Open while ranked number one in the world. She joined the ranks of iconic players such as Martina Hingis, who achieved this feat in 2000, and Serena Williams, who won in 2003, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Additionally, Ashleigh Barty claimed the title in 2021 as the world number one.

For Sabalenka, this title is not just about adding another trophy to her collection, but also about overcoming the mental hurdles of losing in previous finals. It serves as a reminder of her resilience and ability to come back stronger after setbacks. Her performance in Miami showcased her focus and determination to finally claim a major title.

With this victory, Sabalenka solidifies her status as one of the leading players in women’s tennis. As she continues to perform at a high level, there’s no doubt that she will be a force to reckon with in the upcoming months of the season. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as she looks to maintain her form and secure even more titles.

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates Miami Open title, avoids 'another final' loss

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