Winner Aryna Sabalenka and runner-up Amanda Anisimova both had to interrupt Mary Carillo during the post-match presentation after the women’s singles final at the US Open
There were awkward scenes on the court after Aryna Sabalenka beat Amanda Anisimova to win the US Open, with both players cutting off the interviewer during their post-match speeches.
Sabalenka won the Grand Slam title with a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Anisimova at Flushing Meadows on Saturday night. It was the world No.1’s first Major of 2025 after she lost the Australian Open and French Open finals to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff respectively.
The Belarusian was emotional after overcoming home favourite Anisimova, who defeated her in the semi-finals at Wimbledon. And she ended up having to cut off interviewer Mary Carillo to make sure she thanked everyone post-match.
“Wait, wait, wait, I need to say thank you to my team. I’m not done,” Sabalenka said. “Sorry. I thought it would be rude because I’m giving hard times to my team and to leave them without appreciation in my speech, it would be mean.”
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She went on: “Last but not least, I want to say thank you to my team, to my family, to everyone who came here, who flew from Miami, from LA, to be there in my box, to support me, to cheer me on.
“Hopefully I’m going to reach many more finals, you guys are not allowed to skip any of those, so I don’t care where you guys are going to be, but you’re going to be flying to my finals!”
Anisimova, who has now lost back-to-back Grand Slam finals following her whitewash by Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, had a similar interaction with Carillo in her post-match interview. “It’s been a great summer. Losing in two finals in a row is great but it’s also super hard. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today,” she began.
“I wanna say congrats to Aryna. You are so incredible. I know I have to face you all the time. But I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished. You keep achieving so many incredible things. Big congratulations to you and your team. You guys are amazing.”
Anisimova was then told that she would be presented with her trophy and a runner-up’s cheque of £1.85million, but she quickly jumped in to awkwardly halt proceedings. “Oh, just a few more words,” she pleaded. “Of course, thank you to my team. I mean, it’s been tough this year and, you know, in those finals I was really terrible towards you. But come on, it’s worth it, right?
“So, guys, thank you so much. I love you, you’re my family. And thank you to my boyfriend who is always there for me, cheering me on. Without your support, I wouldn’t be able to make it.
“And last thing, I know people at home are watching. I’m sorry, I’m really long today, I know it can get annoying! But last but not least, also, I know that kids back home are watching me. This morning, I received a video from the tennis school where I started, from the kids.
“They were cheering me on, they were really wishing me all the best wishes. I was a little bit crying this morning and that was the moment when I realised I cannot let them down, I have to give them some positive vibes, so thank you so much for the support.”