Tenacious tiger-tattooed Aryna Sabalenka embodied the spirit of her favourite animal in New York this year as she clawed her way back from injury and disappointment to lift the US Open trophy here on Saturday.

The world No.2 retained her title at the Australian Open but suffered a back injury in Rome and crashed out with illness in the Roland Garros quarter-final. She missed Wimbledon entirely due to a shoulder injury.

Her signature tiger arm tattoo became a fitting emblem as she roared back to the tour to win last month’s Cincinnati Open and swiped aside competitors in Flushing Meadows.

She dropped only one set on the road to the final where she downed American Jessica Pegula. She was the runner-up here a year ago. She had two previous semi-final appearances, as well.

“Hopefully one day we're gonna see me serve and volley,” she said after her victory with a hearty laugh. “I'm not sure I'm brave enough to do that, but maybe once I will come up with this Plan C. Hopefully we'll never need it, but whatever. Whatever it takes.”

“I faced a lot of challenges on and off the court,” the Belarusian said. “That’s why it’s very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger and I was learning. I never gave up on this dream, and yeah, you know, it means a lot.”

For Saturday’s championship match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, her performance coach Jason Stacy arrived with the tiger tattoo on his head, which she slapped with satisfaction after winning the title.

“In Washington there is one girl, she’s my fan,” said Sabalenka. “She brought these temporary tattoos, and Jason promised me that if I make it to the finals... he’s gonna put it on his forehead.

“Just always come up with something new,” she said. “It was signature, and now it’s, like, tiger tattoo. I’m really curious what’s going to be next.”

AP/PTI, Reuters