The triumph in New York marks a career-defining year for Rybakina, who also claimed the Australian Open title earlier in the season. By winning both hard-court Grand Slams in the same calendar year, she joins an elite group of only six women to achieve the feat. The match concluded with a flourish as Rybakina struck her 12th ace of the day, leaving Sabalenka, who was aiming for a third consecutive US Open title, visibly frustrated.
A Miraculous Recovery to the Top
Rybakina’s path to the trophy was far from certain. Just weeks before the tournament, she was forced to withdraw from the quarterfinals in Cincinnati due to a chronic left ankle injury. The setback left her unable to touch a racket for seven days leading up to the US Open, with the player admitting it was painful to even walk during the initial stages of her recovery.
Despite the lack of preparation, Rybakina found her rhythm quickly in New York. She navigated the early rounds without dropping a set, including a clinical performance against two-time champion Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16. Although she faced stern tests in the quarterfinals and semifinals—dropping the opening set against both Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff—she displayed the composure necessary to force deciders and advance. By reaching the semifinal, she had already mathematically secured the top spot in the world rankings.
Reflecting on a Triumphant Season
During her victory speech, Rybakina expressed genuine surprise at her success given the physical challenges she faced. Addressing a crowd that included Maria Sharapova and Brad Pitt, she acknowledged the uncertainty that clouded her arrival in New York. Her victory over Sabalenka in the final was her 18th career meeting with the Belarusian, and it served as a statement of her current dominance on the tour.
Sabalenka, who conceded that Rybakina was the better player on the day, acknowledged the high level of tennis displayed by the new champion. With this win, Rybakina holds a lead of more than 2,000 points in the rankings and has become the first player to qualify for the year-end WTA Finals. As she looks toward the 2027 season, she now carries the weight of two major titles and the expectations that accompany the world No. 1 position, a challenge Sabalenka playfully noted will be the next test for the newly crowned champion.
