Aryna Sabalenka's US Open triumph is proof you should "never give up on your dream". (More Sports News)
Sabalenka, who lost to Coco Gauff in last year's US Open final, got the monkey off her back when she defeated Jeඣssica Pegula at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
The Belarusian prevailed 7-5 7-5 from a thrilling encounter on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Pegula having reeled off five straight games to take a 5-3 lead in the second set before Sabalenkꦿa turned the tables back in her favour.
After becoming just the fifth woman to win b𝓡oth hard-cou✨rt grand slam titles in the same season, Sabalenka said: "Everything I'm thinking, I remember all those tough losses in the past here and it's going to sound easy but never give up on your dream and just keep trying, keep working hard.
"If you're really working hard sacrifꦛicing everything for your dream, you'﷽re going to get it one day.
"I'm just super proud of myself. I never say that but I'm super proud of myself, I'm super proud o𓄧f my team that no matter what, which situation we were facing this season and in the past, we were able to go through it and get all those beautiful trophies.
"It's also very special plaꦿce here, the US Open. That's why it's very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger, and I was learning, I never gave up on this dream, and it mea𝔍ns a lot."
Sabalenka is the sixth&🌌nbsp;defending runner-up to win the US Open title in the Open Era, after Chris Eveꦏrt (1980), Martina Navratilova (1986), Steffi Graf (1988 and 1995), Justine Henin (2007) and Serena Williams (2002 and 2012).
And though Pegula was the home favourite, there was still plen⛎ty of support from the crowd for Sabalenka.
She added: "That's everything, let's be honest without them it wouldn't be me and I wouldn't exist and 🍃as I always say without me you guys wouldn't exist too ꦯso you're welcome!
"No, no, I love you guys. Your support is everything and you're my family and I cannot imagine my tennis lif🐲e and my personal life without you. I love you guys, I don't say it often but I will say it loud, thank you for being you."
