"Anyway, they're going to be stronger and better than us, but we're still putting a lot of work in, and I think we deserve to be paid the same. This is the only thing I can say right now."

The match marked the fiftieth anniversary of equal pay, with equality campaigner and tennis icon Billie Jean King in attendance handy out the awards.

When receiving her prize cash, Gauff personally thanked King for her function in serving to make it occur as she took her profession prize cash to an estimated £11.2m ($14m) after her success at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka, who was confirmed as the brand new world No 1 after rising above Iga Swiatek within the WTA rankings, has earned over £16m ($20m) since turning skilled.

She will pocket one other £1.2m ($1.5m) for ending because the runner-up in New York, and her financial institution steadiness has been considerably boosted since enhancing her type on the court docket - having reached the semi-finals in all 4 Slams this yr, profitable her first on the Australian Open in January.