Look at this. To stand here on this court, in Arthur Ashe Stadium, in front of all of you… and to say I’m in the final of the US Open… it’s a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl hitting balls in New Jersey. And to feel your energy tonight… it’s absolutely incredible. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
There are so many people I need to thank, because this isn’t a journey anyone makes alone.
First, to my team—my coach, my physio, my agents, everyone who has stood by me through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. You never stopped believing in me, even when my own belief wavered. You reminded me of my love for this game, and you’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this moment possible. This is as much your victory as it is mine.
To my family… my rock. Mom, Dad, my siblings… you have sacrificed so much for this crazy dream of mine. You’ve been there with a hug after a tough loss and a quiet word of encouragement when I needed it most. Your unconditional love is my foundation. Everything I do, I do for you.
To the fans—the New York crowd! You are unlike any other. You are loud, you are passionate, and you have carried me through every single match. I felt every clap, every cheer, every ounce of your belief. You pushed me to dig deeper, to fight for every point. This city, this tournament… it’s pure magic.
And to my opponent today… what a tremendous battle. You are an incredible champion and you pushed me to my absolute limit. I have so much respect for you and your game. Thank you for sharing the court with me and for raising the level of tennis to such amazing heights.
This last year has taught me a lot about perspective. It’s taught me that tennis is what I do, but it’s not all that I am. Coming back to the sport, I promised myself I would play with joy, with gratitude, and with heart. To see that mindset bring me here, to the final of my home Grand Slam, is the greatest validation I could ever ask for.
I am so grateful. Grateful for the struggles, because they made me stronger. Grateful for the support, because it lifted me up. And grateful for this sport, for the privilege of doing what I love.
So, am I thrilled? More than words can say. Am I ready for the final? You better believe it.
This isn’t the end of the story; it’s the next chapter. And I can’t wait to see what we write together.
Thank you, New York! See you on Saturday