The sting of a US Open final defeat was eased for Aryna Sabalenka when she allowed herself to zoom out and reflect on her gains in a breakthrough 2023.
The 25-year-old came within a set of scooping two of the four Grand Slam titles this season, before falling 2-6 6-3 6-2 to teenaged star Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka was comforted by the knowledge she will debut at world No.1 this week, a milestone made possible by her first major singles trophy at the Australian Open, sustained excellence at the majors, and 50 match wins since the beginning of January.
“That's why probably I'm not super depressed right now,” she said in the aftermath of her loss in New York.
She then smiled: “I'm definitely going for a drink tonight, if I'm allowed to say that. Yes, we are athletes, but sometimes we are drinking, but not much.
“But becoming a world No.1, it's a huge improvement, and achievement, actually. I'm really proud of myself that all those years I have been working so hard helped me to become world No.1.
“I really would like to finish the year as world No.1. That's why I'm, like, still positive, and I'm still motivated.”
Sabalenka’s rise to the summit ends the impressive 75-week reign of Iga Swiatek, who Sabalenka beat to win the WTA 1000 title in Madrid – her third title of the season, from six finals.
She came close to making it a fourth in New York, where she became the first player since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to reach both the Australian and US Open finals in the same season.
Saturday’s loss at Arthur Ashe Stadium left her feeling conflicted.
On one hand, she lamented battling herself on the court, and the feeling that by committing unforced errors at crucial moments – she finished the match with 46, to Gauff’s 19 – she let Gauff back into the match.
On the other, this meant the match was on her racquet, as it so often is for a player with such potent intensity and weapons.
She also acknowledged Gauff’s “unbelievable defending game”.
“I would definitely say that she was moving really well and defending really great, better than anybody else. So I always had to play like an extra ball,” Sabalenka said.
“It's a combination of everything. But I would say that today was more because of me. Like, that is, not the whole match, but, like, there were key moments in the second set… the moments I lost, and those moments helped her to turn around the game.
“But it's okay. I'll work harder so next time I'm not going to get even a little bit tired on court, and so I'll be better.”
Perhaps the biggest takeaway – and potentially a good sign for future Grand Slam campaigns – was Sabalenka’s unforgettable semifinal victory.
She entered that match against Madison Keys having lost five of her six previous major semifinals. But from 0-6, 3-5, 0-15 down, she staged an extraordinary comeback to triumph.
It marked her 23rd Grand Slam match win of 2023. Just three women this century – Serena Williams, Justine Henin and Jennifer Capriati – have managed more in one season.
RELATED: Sabalenka emulates Serena in semifinal run
“There's some positive things I'm leaving (with) this; some not really positive. But it's okay. It's a process. We're all learning,” said Sabalenka, who has reached at least the semifinal stage at her past five major tournaments.
“I guess it's a lesson for me I will learn and then come back stronger.”