Aryna Sabalenka is not treating her latest US Open campaign as an exercise in protecting what she has already achieved. For the world No. 1, the challenge is to keep raising the standard even when the target on her back grows larger with every match. The two-time defending champion continued her march towards a potential third consecutive US Open crown with a composed 6-3, 6-4 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday, reaching the fourth round in New York for the fifth consecutive year. The result also extended her winning streak at the tournament to 16 matches.
Sabalenka entered the tournament carrying an unusual burden for a player at the top of the rankings. She is not simply defending a Grand Slam title, but attempting to achieve a feat last accomplished by Serena Williams, who won three successive US Open titles from 2012 to 2014. Chris Evert is the other woman in the professional era to have completed a three-peat at Flushing Meadows. Yet Sabalenka insists that the pressure of being chased is precisely what keeps her motivated.
“Competition always pushes you to get better. That’s what I love about tennis, when someone is chasing you or when you’re the one being chased. It keeps you hungry and forces you to raise your level. That pressure makes you stronger and drives you to work even harder. It’s a constant challenge, and that’s exactly what makes sport so exciting for me,” Sabalenka said in an interview shared by JioStar. That mentality has been visible throughout the opening rounds. She began her defence by beating Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 and then dismantled qualifier Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 before facing a sterner challenge from Rakhimova.
Against Rakhimova, Sabalenka produced 10 aces and did not face a break point, according to Reuters. Even when the Uzbek player increased the resistance in the second set, Sabalenka stayed composed and found the crucial opening to close out the contest in straight sets. The Belarusian’s ability to maintain that intensity has also been linked to how she manages life away from the court.
“I’ve always believed it’s important to balance life on and off the court. On court, it’s intense and aggressive. You have to stay strong and focused at all times. There’s no room to switch off. But off the court, it’s different. That’s when you relax, have fun, and enjoy the things you love. That balance helps me recharge and stay fresh for the next match,” the US Open women’s singles defending champion added.
For Sabalenka, New York offers an environment that complements that philosophy. The energy of the city and the response from the crowd have become part of the experience she values during the fortnight.
“There’s so much I love about being here. First of all, the crowd is amazing. When they cheer for you, it gives you so much energy. I love being in New York. I enjoy shopping when I get the chance, and I love going out for good dinners. Spending two or three weeks in this city is always special. I feel like the energy of the city pushes you to work harder and stay motivated on the court,” she added.
Her campaign has not been completely free of distractions. During her match against Rakhimova, Sabalenka briefly stopped play after noticing a strong cannabis smell around Louis Armstrong Stadium. She nevertheless regained her focus and completed the victory without dropping a set.
The broader picture is equally significant. Sabalenka finished 2025 as world No. 1 for the second consecutive year and won four titles, including the US Open. The WTA also records her as the season’s leading match-winner in 2025, with 63 victories. She now moves into the second week of the tournament with the No. 1 ranking still hers and the three-peat firmly within reach. But the next stage will bring greater pressure, stronger opponents and a crowd increasingly invested in seeing whether the defending champion can make history.
Sabalenka’s greatest advantage may not be her explosive serve or ferocious groundstrokes, but her attitude towards pressure. Champions can become defensive when they have something to lose. Sabalenka appears to have adopted the opposite approach. She sees being chased as motivation rather than a burden. That distinction could prove decisive as the US Open moves into its business end. The question is no longer whether she can defend her title. It is whether she can turn the pressure of history into the fuel for another championship run.
