Aryna Sabalenka is able to play extremely well when she is angry, according to her WTA rival Jessica Pegula.
And that is a rare talent in the eyes of the American, who witnessed it up close during their semifinal encounter at the US Open.
Sabalenka beat Pegula 7-5, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, but went on to lose in the final to Elena Rybakina.
Pegula has now discussed her WTA counterpart following the conclusion of the tournament, praising Sabalenka for her unique skill.
Jessica Pegula praises Aryna Sabalenka for playing well when she’s angry
Speaking on The Player’s Box podcast, the American said of the Belarusian: “I had a great US Open. Aryna played insane.
“I literally said in press and I told you guys, I am not sure she missed a backhand ever, during the match. She played insane.
“She was just too good, honestly. The first set was close and then we were both serving well and it was just like she was able to play some really big points, like she always does.
“It was high risk but high reward and it worked, and then she ran away with the second a bit. I felt I was struggling to stay in the match.
“She plays so well when she is angry. I can’t do that. When I get angry I start overhitting and I get mad. It does not work for me.
“She plays so well when she is angry. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone ever play so well when she is visibly p***** off.
“Usually it’s a swing, where someone might hit a couple of good winners but it does not hold up. I don’t know how she is able to do that.
“Not a lot of people can do that, but she does. I feel like Aryna is good at that. She is more emotional of a player, but that is how she plays well.”
While Pegula has praised Sabalenka concerning her emotions, the latter isn’t always viewed positively in that regard.
She smashed her racket after losing the final to Rybakina, with tennis fans criticising Sabalenka for her outburst in New York.
What did you make of Aryna Sabalenka’s reaction to the loss?
The Belarusian smashed her racket after match point…
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula continue epic rivalry at the US Open
Women’s tennis continues to throw up plenty of surprises, particularly when it comes to Grand Slam tournaments.
But one constant in recent times has been meetings between Sabalenka and Pegula, which very rarely disappoint.
READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka suggests how the US Open fans really feel about her
The two WTA heavyweights have now met 14 times on the court, with the Belarusian winning 10 and losing just four.
They are, however, 1-1 for the 2026 season so far, with another meeting certainly possible between now and the end of the campaign.
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