Rybakina Claims 2026 US Open Title, Becomes World No. 1

Elena Rybakina triumphed at the 2026 US Open, overcoming injury doubts and Aryna Sabalenka in the final held at Flushing Meadows. Rybakina won the match with scores of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, marking her first US Open title.

She entered the tournament with concerns about a foot injury sustained during her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek, which left her unable to walk comfortably for several days. Rybakina did not train on court for a week before the US Open, focusing instead on recovery.

Despite these challenges, she won her first four matches without dropping a set, including a victory over Naomi Osaka. In the final, Rybakina initially took the first set but lost momentum in the second.

However, she regained control in the third set, showcasing composure under pressure, ultimately sealing her victory with an ace on championship point. This win adds to her previous major titles, including Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier in 2026.