New York, September 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Elena Rybakina admitted she was stunned by her remarkable US Open triumph after defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the women’s singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday.
Rybakina, who had feared an Achilles injury could force her out of the tournament, overcame her physical concerns and a determined fightback from Sabalenka to complete the three-set victory in two hours and 21 minutes and claim her third Grand Slam title.
“It’s just incredible. I still can’t believe it. I mean, no words,” Rybakina said after lifting the trophy.
The Kazakh star revealed that her preparations for the tournament had been far from ideal. She had not picked up a racquet for seven days before arriving at the competition.
“Somehow, day by day, we were trying to find a way, adapting to all the challenges I was waking up with every day. I was not touching my racquet for seven days before the tournament,” she said.
Despite the setback, Rybakina managed to put together a championship-winning campaign after only four days of practice.
“Just four days of practice, a lot of belief in yourself and talking with the team nonstop about the tactics, how I played in Canada, how I played in Cincinnati. I mean, it’s just so many things. Everything went my way. I’m shocked,” she said.
Rybakina had also defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, making her latest victory over the Belarusian a memorable conclusion to her Grand Slam season.
“I did not expect anything like this coming into this tournament. I have been feeling it a little bit with the injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side,” she said.
Praising Sabalenka after their latest high-profile contest, Rybakina said the world-class champion had pushed her to her limits.
“Aryna, you are a wonderful champion. It’s so difficult to play against you; you push to such limits. I was dying on the court against you. I was just trying to get all the possible balls,” she said.
Rybakina also acknowledged that she was prepared to take risks despite the foot problem that had troubled her before the tournament.
“Everything was working today, and in these tight moments I was trying to push myself as hard as possible. On the court I was basically diving on all these balls; I did not care about my foot whatever happened, and it worked,” she said.
The 2026 US Open title is Rybakina’s third Major crown and third title of the season, taking her career tally to 14. She now needs only a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam.
Reflecting on her previous struggles at Flushing Meadows, Rybakina thanked the New York crowd for its support.
“I want to say thank you to such beautiful spectators for an amazing atmosphere. I honestly was coming here for the last ten years, and it was never successful. Nothing close to that. It’s just incredible. I am falling in love with New York more and more, and it is amazing for me,” she said.
Rybakina will rise to world No. 1 in the rankings on Monday, ending Sabalenka’s second stint at the top. Her first reign lasted eight weeks in 2023.
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