'Even For Her It Was Too Much': How Crowd Influenced Sabalenka's US Open Final Loss
WTA
Former WTA doubles World No. 1, Rennae Stubbs, thinks that Aryna Sabalenka was impacted by the atmosphere during the 2023 US Open final.
The Belarusian player took on Coco Gauff in the final in New York. Naturally, the young American player was the home crowd favorite, especially since she won the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati.
Gauff was in great form, but Sabalenka was the player who had actually won a Grand Slam before. Despite having experience, Sabalenka didn't remain the calmer player during the final match.
She started well, but ultimately Gauff was able to win the match in three sets, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. It was a great comeback from the American player, who was heavily supported by the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Former player and Serena Williams' ex-coach, Renna Stubbs, who talked on her Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, thinks that the crowd played a big role in Gauff's success and Sabalenka's loss.
"I think the crowd factor was definitely a part of this match, and there's no doubt about it. I think Aryna, out of all players, can handle it, she loves the fight and the atmosphere very much like Novak does. But I think even for her, it was too much."
"I know as a player what it's like, not playing in the closest realm of 20,000 people, but I've played in front of a very raucous crowd. Whether it be in Spain, the Fed Cup, or whatever."
"You know you're gonna miss a shot, and the crowd is gonna go bonkers when you miss it, and it's very anxiety-inducing. And it makes you often miss shots, you're gonna yell and scream, I think that is a factor."
Sabalenka knew the crowd would be against her, and after the match, she also said that the loss likely had more to do with her performance than Gauff's.
