There’s a New Tennis Force in Town
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan returns a shot against Aryna Sabalenka in their Women's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept.
12, 2026, in New York City. —Al Bello—Getty Images When Elena Rybakina won her first major championship—Wimbledon, in 2022—observers noted her low-key victory celebration .
Rybakina barely registered a fist-pump.
Her opponent in that final, Ons Jabeur, joked she’d have to teach Rybakina “how to celebrate properly.” Rybakina’s second Slam, the Australian Open earlier this year, wasn’t all that animated either : another left fist, maybe more of a smile, after she delivered an ace to bounce Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne.
Would outlasting Sabalenka again, on a Saturday in New York City, to thwart Sabalenka’s well-publicized attempt at a U.S.
Open three-peat, compel Rybakina to at least fall to the ground, as per tennis tradition? We’re not asking for a hardcourt snow angel over here.
But Rybakina’s 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Sabalenka in Saturday’s U.S.
Open final didn’t just make her a first-time U.S.
Open champion.
By winning two majors this year, Rybakina became one of the standout global athletes, across sports, in 2026.
Read More: At the U.S.
Open, Ben Shelton Has America Believing Again On Monday, she’ll take the world’s No.
1 ranking from Sabalenka.
How about a mere leap, Elena? Not here, not now.
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