Aryna Sabalenka has done it again! The tennis star has successfully defended her title at the US Open 2025, taking down Amanda Anisimova in a thrilling women’s singles final. With this victory, Sabalenka now boasts an impressive four Grand Slam championships—two of which she earned on the iconic hard courts of the US Open. Last year, she faced off against American Jessica Pegula in the final and emerged victorious. This time around, she once again showcased her incredible talent by clinching the title with a score of 6-3, 7-6(7-3) at the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium. Notably, she is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2024 to defend her title successfully.
Martina Navratilova, the legendary tennis champion, had her eyes on the match, hoping to see Iga Swiatek take home the trophy. Unfortunately for her, Swiatek was knocked out by Anisimova in the quarterfinals, leaving Navratilova to commentate on the final showdown. During the match, a controversial moment arose when Sabalenka challenged a call, believing it to be a let, only to find out the umpire had not called it. This prompted Navratilova to voice her frustration about a long-standing tennis rule.
“That’s why we should just play it as a live ball. It’s such a stupid rule. I am really fed up with it,”
she expressed passionately on Sky Sports Tennis.
She continued, “I have been talking about it for decades, it feels like! Why? Somebody made that rule 150 years ago and we have not changed it!”
Former British number one Laura Robson was also watching closely and chimed in on the discussion regarding the technology used for calls, saying, “Basically the technology is so unreliable that it’s the same kind of numbers being called when it’s just the chair umpire, so there was really no difference when they looked at the data amongst all the Slams whether it had the net machine.”
Robson highlighted that “half the time it wasn’t even working and most of the time it was the chair umpire calling it anyway. There is just not a reliable form of technology for that.” The debate surrounding the rule and its efficacy continues, but for now, it seems that the incident did not affect the final outcome of the match.
The match between Sabalenka and Anisimova was yet another riveting chapter in their competitive history. Just this year, they faced off at both the 2025 French Open and Wimbledon. In Paris, Sabalenka triumphed in their round of 16 clash, but Anisimova came back strong in the London semifinal, securing her own victory. Now, after their recent clash in New York, the bragging rights have shifted back to Sabalenka, although Anisimova still boasts an impressive 6-4 win-loss record against her.
As the dust settles on the US Open 2025, fans are left buzzing with excitement over the thrilling matches and the engaging narratives that unfolded throughout the tournament. The spotlight is now on the players as they prepare for their next challenges, with questions lingering about potential rule changes and the evolution of the game. Will tennis officials heed Navratilova’s call for change? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, one thing is clear: Aryna Sabalenka is a force to be reckoned with!
In conclusion, this year’s US Open was not just about the matches played but also the discussions sparked around the sport itself. With legends like Navratilova calling for reform and players like Sabalenka etching their names into history, the future of tennis looks as exciting as ever. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the sport, keeping an eye on these developments will be essential as we head into the next season. Here’s to more thrilling matches and the potential changes that could make the game even better!
