"They were awake watching me, 100% they're not going to sleep well" - Aryna Sabalenka on why she apologized to parents in US Open speech

Aryna Sabalenka suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Coco Gauff in the final of the 2023 US Open on Saturday. She won the first set before turning in an error-strewn performance in the next two to drop the championship match 6-2, 3-6, 2-6.

Sabalenka gave a teary-eyed runner-up speech during the trophy ceremony, where she apologized to her mother and rest of her family. The 25-year-old was subsequently asked to shed some light on that during her press conference.

Aryna Sabalenka replied that since Belarus was seven hours ahead of New York, it was likely her family would have stayed up late to watch her match. In that context, she felt obliged to apologize to her family for failing to lift the trophy.

"I mean, I don't know what time is it there right now," she said. "It's probably night. For me, it's important to get good sleep for them, you know. So they were awake, watching me. I mean, now they have to go to bed, but 100% they're not going to sleep well. So that's what I apologize for."

Sabalenka proceeded to acknowledge that it was through the strenuous efforts of her family that she had the opportunity to pursue a career in tennis.

"Well, without them, I wouldn't be here," she went on. "They have been pushing themselves so hard so I would have this chance to become a tennis player. Yeah, I would say that my family did a good job. If not for them, I wouldn't be here. I really appreciate for everything they did, yeah."

Aryna Sabalenka had previously said it was her late father's wish to see her rise to World No. 1

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates at the 2023 Australian Open

Not long ago, Aryna Sabalenka revealed how her late father Sergey always wanted her to ascend to the top of the WTA rankings. It was Sergey, a former hockey player, who had introduced the Belarusian to tennis, but he unfortunately died in 2019 at the age of 43.

Sabalenka disclosed in 2020 that although she found it hard to move on from the tragedy, her father's desire for her to become the women's World No. 1 some day gave her strength.

“I’m just trying to fight because my dad wanted me to be No. 1," she had said back then. "I’m doing it for him so that’s what is helping me to be strong right now. During the pre-season, it was tough to practice mentally."

Aryna Sabalenka is set to rise to No. 1 when the rankings are updated next week. Having reached the semifinals of the US Open last year, Sabalenka improved on that performance in 2023 by finishing as the runner-up, thereby gaining 520 (1300 - 780) ranking points.

Iga Swiatek, meanwhile, surrendered the top ranking spot at the beginning of the second week. She failed to defend her 2,000 winner's points from last year, losing to Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round this time.