It is also the 26-year-old's first victory in the US Open after a bitter final loss to Coco Gauff last year.
I'm speechless right now, I'm thinking about how many times I've believed I would make it, says a tearful Sabalenka in the victory interview at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
Sabalenka, seeded second in the world rankings, won over sixth-ranked Pegula in two straight but numerically even sets: 7–5, 7–5.
"Jessica played incredibly well"
Pegula fought back after difficult disadvantages in both the first and second sets, but didn't hold out to the end. In the first, she evened out to 5–5 from 2–5, but Sabalenka managed to take the two decisive games. In the second, she was down 0–3 but took five straight games and went up to 5–3 before Sabalenka again showed who was the best this evening.
Jessica played incredibly well and I'm sure she'll take several Grand Slam titles in the future, says Sabalenka.
For Sabalenka, it was a very emotional victory. She has had problems with injuries and withdrew from Wimbledon this summer, two hours before she was to enter the tournament. At the press conference after the US Open victory, she also talked about having had "many challenges" off the court. In 2019, her father died, and in March earlier this year, her ex-boyfriend died.
After I lost my father, it has always been my goal that our surname should have a place in tennis history, she says according to AP.
"Proud of my family"
Sabalenka, with the US Open trophy by her side, continues:
Every time I see my name on the trophy, I'm proud of myself. I'm proud of my family who never gave up and who did everything for me to be able to realize my dream, she says.
The victory also means that Sabalenka takes home $3.6 million in prize money, equivalent to 37 million kronor.
