Elena Rybakina defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a thrilling U.S; Open final to win her first title at Flushing Meadows, but the victory marked Rybakina’s third Grand Slam title and second of the 2026 season, both against Sabalenka. With the win, Rybakina secured the No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis, replacing Sabalenka, who had held the top spot since the Australian Open in January.

Injury, Doubt, and Triumph

Rybakina admitted she was unsure whether she could compete in New York due to an ankle injury sustained in the Cincinnati Open. The injury left her unable to walk for several days. Despite the uncertainty, Rybakina not only played but dominated her early matches, winning four of her first five sets against her opponents. She then overcame tough challenges in her semifinal and final matches.

Against Sabalenka, Rybakina displayed a balanced game—bullying from the baseline while showing resilience in longer rallies. Her emotional victory was revealed by her comments to Sky Sports: ‘Some magic is happening. I was unlucky with injury and just going day by day. We didn’t know how it was going to be so I’m super happy and still can’t believe it.’

Financial and Ranking Implications

Rybakina earned $5.5 million for her U.S. Open victory, the largest prize in Grand Slam history. The win also gave her three titles this season, tying her with Sabalenka and French Open champion Mirra Andreeva for the most on the WTA tour. Sabalenka took home $2.8 million but struggled emotionally after the loss. She smashed her racket after the final point and admitted, ‘Not good enough’ when asked about the result.

With Rybakina’s win, she dethroned Sabalenka without having to play at her best. Sabalenka had been aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams to win three consecutive U.S. Open titles (2012–2014). Rybakina’s victory also ended Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak at the tournament, which dated back to her 2023 final loss to Coco Gauff.

Wimbledon and the Road to No. 1

Looking ahead, Rybakina is expected to be a strong contender for the No. 1 ranking at Wimbledon 2026. The Kazakh player defends only 130 points from last year’s Wimbledon third-round exit, while Sabalenka must defend 780 points as the reigning semifinalist. Wimbledon’s grass courts, which have historically suited Rybakina’s game, could play a central role in the ongoing battle for the top spot.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, arrives at Wimbledon with significant doubts. Her recent form on grass has been inconsistent, and she has yet to reach the final at the All England Club. The emotional toll of the U.S. Open final loss may also affect her performance. As Puntodebreak noted, ‘Aryna Sabalenka arrives at Wimbledon with first-ever doubts in 2026.’

With Rybakina’s momentum and Sabalenka’s recent struggles, the WTA rankings could see a dramatic shift before the end of the season. As of now, Sabalenka leads Rybakina by 2,345 points, but Rybakina will defend only 870 points during the clay-court swing, compared to the 2,515 that Sabalenka defends. A deep run in Madrid, Rome, or Roland Garros could significantly narrow the gap.

Rybakina’s U.S. Open victory and ascent to No. 1 marks a new era in women’s tennis. With her physical and tactical improvements, she has positioned herself as a serious contender for the top of the rankings for the remainder of the year.