Just In: Newly crowned US Open champion Elena Rybakina reveals what made her fall in ‘love’ with New York
Elena Rybakina has revealed why she is beginning to fall in ‘love’ with New York after finally winning her maiden US Open title.
The triumph also marked her third Grand Slam title overall, with the Kazakh admitting that her previous visits to the city had never produced anything close to this success.
Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, September 12, to lift the US Open trophy. The victory also gave her a second Grand Slam title of 2026 after her Australian Open triumph in January.
Rybakina reveals why she is falling in love with New York
Rybakina has been visiting New York for the past 10 years but had never enjoyed a particularly successful run at the US Open. That changed this time as she went all the way to claim the biggest title of her career on home soil for the tournament.
Reflecting on her latest experience in the city, Rybakina said: “I’d been coming here for the last 10 years, and it was never successful. Nothing close to that,” said Rybakina. “I’m falling in love with New York more and more.”
Her victory over Sabalenka was not straightforward, with the two players splitting the opening two sets. Rybakina took the first 6-4 before Sabalenka responded with a 7-5 second set to force a decider.
The final set, however, belonged to Rybakina. She secured an early break for a 2-1 lead before breaking again to move 5-2 ahead. She then closed out the championship on her 12th ace after two hours and 21 minutes.
Rybakina also produced a strong serving display, winning 85% of her first-serve points. She made 24 unforced errors compared to Sabalenka’s 35.
The Kazakh had plenty of praise for her opponent after securing the title, acknowledging the challenge Sabalenka presented throughout the contest.
“You are a great champion. It’s so difficult to play against you. You push to such limits,” she said of Sabalenka. “I was studying on the court, just trying to get all the possible balls.”
The final was their eighth meeting since the start of 2025 and fourth of the season. Rybakina had already beaten Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, but lost their next two encounters at Indian Wells and Miami.
Sabalenka had previously defeated Rybakina in their first Grand Slam final at the 2023 Australian Open and still leads their overall rivalry 10-8.
Rybakina’s latest victory, though, gives her another major title in a year that has seen her overcome Sabalenka twice in Grand Slam finals
