Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in New York on September 12, 2026, to claim her first U.S. Open trophy. This victory also secures Rybakina the world No. 1 ranking.
A record-breaking $5 .5 million payday
The victory at Flushing Meadows comes with a historic financial reward. According to the report, Elena Rybakina earned $5.5 million, which stands as the largest prize ever awarded in Grand Slam history. This figure dwarfs the $2.8 million taken home by the runner-up, Aryna Sabalenka.
The disparity in the payout highlights the escalating commercial value of women's tennis.. While Sabalenka's reaction—smashing her racket after a brief hug at the net—suggested the money was secondary to the loss,the record-setting purse cements Elena Rybakina's status as the sport's current premier earner.
Breaking Sabalenka's 19-match streak at Flushing Meadows
The final was a clash of contrasting styles and temperaments. Elena Rybakina won the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, effectively ending a 19-match winning streak that Aryna Sabalenka had maintained at the U.S. Open since her 2023 loss to Coco Gauff. As the report says, Rybakina managed to dethrone the champion despite not playing her best tennis, specifically struggling with her first-serve percentage.
Instead of relying on her usual ace-heavy game, Elena Rybakina utilized a dominant return strategy to neutralize the Belarusian's power. By creating 12 break chances and converting three, Rybakina proved that her ability to absorb and redirect the pace of Aryna Sabalenka was the deciding factor in the three-set battle.
Ending a 99-week reign at the top
The ranking shift on Monday marks a significant changing of the guard. Aryna Sabalenka has held the world No. 1 positoin for 99 consecutive weeks, a period of dominance that Elena Rybakina finally interrupted. In fact, Rybakina had already guaranteed her ascent to the top spot simply by reaching the semifinals of the tournament.
This matchup echoes a rare historical pattern. Since 2000, only Serena Williams has dominated the No. 1 vs. No. 2 U.S. open women's finals in a similar fashion, winning titles in 2002 and 2013. However, unlike those previous instances, this year's final saw the challenger emerge victorious, signaling a shift in the power dynamics of the WTA Tour.
The French Open as the final piece of the puzzle
With this victory, Elena Rybakina has now secured three Grand Slam titles, including her 2022 Wimbledon win and the Australian Open title earlier this year. Both of her 2026 major wins came against Aryna Sabalenka on hard courts, establishing a clear psychological edge over her rival.
The Kazakhstani player now faces a singular goal: the French Open. Winning the clay-court major is the only remaining requirement for Elena Rybakina to complete a career Grand Slam, a feat that would place her among the all-time greats of the sport.
What injury hindered Rybakina's performance?
Despite the win, there are lingering questions regarding Elena Rybakina's physical condition. Following the match, Rybakina admitted she had been "dealing with a little bit with an injury," though she did not specify the nature or location of the ailment. This lack of detail leaves it unclear whether the injury is a chronic issue or a recent strain.
Furthermore, the source does not clarify if this injury contributed to her poor first-serve statistics during the final. While Rybakina's stoic demeanor—described by Coco Gauff as having "no reaction ever"—masks her struggle, the sustainability of her world No. 1 ranking will likely depend on how she manages her health heading into the next season.
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