‘I Know You Guys Wanted Her To Win’ – Elena Rybakina Receives Little Applause As Fans Walk Out Before Her Interview After Beating Coco Gauff
Elena Rybakina produced a superb comeback against Coco Gauff at the US Open 2026 semifinals, but the biggest talking point after her 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory was not just the tennis. It was the reception she received from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
With Gauff carrying the hopes of the home crowd, Rybakina knew she was unlikely to receive the same support. But after sealing her place in the US Open final, the Kazakh was met with a noticeably cold response, with fans online criticising sections of the crowd for offering little applause to the winner.
Most of the spectators were also seen leaving their seats before Rybakina’s on-court interview, meaning the stands were noticeably thinner as she spoke about her victory.
The reaction did not go unnoticed by Rybakina either.
“I know you guys wanted her to win,” she said during her on-court interview.
The comment came after Rybakina had fought through a difficult opening set and a tense deciding set to reach her first US Open final and set the title clash with Aryna Sabalenka.
Fan reactions on social media were blunt, with some calling the response “pathetic” and “distasteful” while others praised Rybakina for staying composed despite the lack of support.
“Not applauding the winner and scampering away before the winner’s interview starts is sad,” one fan wrote.
Rybakina Keeps Her Focus Despite The Crowd
The 27-year-old had plenty to deal with on court. Gauff started strongly, breaking in the sixth game and taking the opening set as the crowd roared behind her.
Rybakina responded by taking advantage of some errors from the American in the second set before raising her level again in the decider. She broke for a 5-3 lead, saw Gauff immediately fight back, but broke once more to close out the match.
Rybakina admitted there were nerves throughout the contest. “Of course there were nerves. Coco is a great player. It’s always tough to play her,” she said.
“Even if sometimes her first serve doesn’t go the second one is so heavy it’s difficult to dictate the rallies. I took a deep breath, tried to talk positive with myself… and just told myself I need to fight and try to show good tennis.”
The Kazakh also admitted that a few moments went her way in the deciding set.
“It was such a close third set. I feel like I got a bit lucky on her serve. Couple of deep returns, one mistake from her, it went quickly my way,” Rybakina said.
“I think it was really a battle. A few moments went my way. In the end I was just trying to be focus and stay aggressive and somehow won the match.”
Rybakina will now face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final, with the winner also leaving New York as the new world No.1. A victory would give Rybakina her third Grand Slam title.
