Aryna Sabalenka kept her word in style after making a promise to the crowd at the U.S. Open. The World No. 2 overcame a tough journey to claim the title, facing American players in both the semifinals and the final, which meant the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium was largely against her.
In an attempt to win the fans over, Sabalenka made a lighthearted vow: she promised to buy everyone a drink. After raising the trophy, the Belarusian star lived up to that promise.
Just a year ago, Sabalenka faced immense pressure when she played against American favorite Coco Gauff in the final, struggling to cope with the roaring support of the 23,700 fans cheering for her opponent. The noise and energy, she admitted later, made it difficult to concentrate, and she ultimately lost that match in three sets. Sabalenka described the atmosphere as so overwhelming that it felt like the crowd’s noise “blocked out her ears.”
Sabalenka’s U.S. Open Triumph: A Promise Fulfilled with a Tequila Celebration
However, this time, Sabalenka used her past experiences at Flushing Meadows to her advantage, staying composed as she defeated Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula to claim the 2024 U.S. Open title. During an on-court interview before her semifinal against Navarro, Sabalenka was asked how she planned to win the crowd over. With a laugh, she quipped, “Maybe I should offer to buy drinks tonight?” After defeating Navarro, she made good on that playful promise, signaling her intention to celebrate in style.
Sponsored by Dobel Tequila, Sabalenka told the fans, “So, guys, Dobel Tequila is bringing you Margarita Aryna. Enjoy!” True to her word, both Sabalenka and the tequila brand followed through. On Monday, Dobel Tequila took to Instagram to share a post featuring a discount code for fans to enjoy reduced prices on drinks.
“When Maestra and 2024 U.S. Open champion @arynasabalenka make a promise, we deliver! Enjoy a Dobel Tequila cocktail or neat,” the post read. “Big celebration, small price. From September 9 to 15, text ‘drinks on me’ to 24272 for a $10 discount on a Dobel Tequila cocktail or neat drink in New York.”
Sabalenka reposted the offer on her own social media, adding, “Drinks are on me! I kept my promise, now go celebrate!” With such a grand gesture, there’s little doubt that New York fans will be cheering for her when she returns to Flushing Meadows next year as the defending champion.
Sabalenka’s 2023 final defeat taught her valuable lessons that helped her stay composed during the tough matches against Navarro and Pegula this year. Reflecting on her victory, she shared, “Yes, it was a really tough experience last year and a really tough lesson. But today, I said to myself, ‘No, Aryna, this won’t happen again. You have to control your emotions and focus on yourself.’”
She acknowledged the support she received from a portion of the crowd, saying, “Some people were cheering for me, and I tried to focus on them. I thought, ‘Come on, there are so many people rooting for you. Your team is here, your family is here. Just focus on yourself and fight for it.'”
