Four days ago, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan secured the No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis for the first time in her career. Today, on Arthur Ashe Stadium, she consecrated the achievement by winning the 2026 U.S. Open Women’s singles title. She defeated her rival and the former No.1, Aryna Sabalenka, 6–4, 5–7, 6–2, in a spellbinding match. Now, it is official. Rybakina is not only the season MVP, but, after winning her second major of 2026, she is the sport’s new queen.
Adding a level of irony tow this fortnight of success, two weeks ago, it was unclear Rybakina would even play in this event. In Cincinnati last month, she suffered what looked to be an Achilles injury on her lower leg. During the week before the U.S. Open, she practiced sparingly and in private.
