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Elena Rybakina has reached the top of the tennis world after winning her first US Open title by beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final and rising to number one, barely three weeks after being scared that an injury would force her out of the year’s final Grand Slam.
The Kazakhstan star defeated the two-time defending champion 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 on Saturday to claim her third Grand Slam title.
Rybakina had already secured the top ranking by reaching the semi-finals, ending Sabalenka’s time at the summit.
The victory came less than three weeks after Rybakina suffered an injury scare at the Cincinnati Open.
She was forced to retire from her quarter-final against the United States’ Iga Swiatek on August 20 after struggling to put weight on her left heel.
“It wasn’t the best time, for sure, because I was so upset,” Rybakina said.
She later underwent an MRI in New York, where doctors assessed the injury before she and her team developed a training, rest and treatment plan.
“I don’t expect nothing like this coming to this tournament. I’ve been dealing with a little bit with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side,” she said after winning the title.
Rybakina produced a strong run to the final, beating two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka in the fourth round.
She then fought back to defeat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen before overcoming former champion Coco Gauff to reach the final.
Her victory against Sabalenka was the 18th meeting between the two players, with Rybakina now narrowing their head-to-head record to 10-8.
Rybakina said she expects their rivalry to continue producing difficult matches.
“I feel like we push each other to be better after such tough battles,” she said.
Sabalenka was not the only player who could have taken the number one ranking in New York, with Gauff and Jessica Pegula also in contention.
Rybakina said she welcomed the competition and hoped to build on her success.
“I don’t know what future is going to bring, but I hope success and some more wins,” she said.
