Elena Rybakina secured her third career Grand Slam title on Saturday, September 12, by defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a challenging US Open final. The 27-year-old managed a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory, a performance that drew immediate praise from tennis legend Chris Evert. Evert, who claimed 18 Grand Slam titles—including six at the US Open—during her illustrious career in the 1970s and 80s, took to social media to commend Rybakina, highlighting a distinct and positive transformation in the player’s demeanor and game following her victory in New York.
The path to the championship was not without its hurdles for Rybakina, who entered the 2026 US Open managing a physical injury. Despite these concerns, she opened her campaign with four consecutive straight-set victories. Her momentum continued through the latter stages of the tournament, where she bested Zheng Qinwen in a three-set quarterfinal before eliminating American favorite Coco Gauff. The final against Sabalenka proved to be a fitting conclusion to a grueling tournament, with Rybakina prevailing in another intense three-set battle.
During her post-match on-court remarks, Rybakina took a moment to pay tribute to her longtime rival, Sabalenka, and reflected on her deepening connection to the New York crowd and the tournament atmosphere. Her success at the US Open represents a significant milestone in her 2026 campaign, serving as her second Grand Slam title of the calendar year following her earlier triumph at the Australian Open.
Looking ahead, the victory serves as a launching point for a new career pinnacle. As of Monday, September 14, Rybakina is set to be officially crowned the World No. 1, reaching the top of the rankings for the first time. Her ability to navigate injury and overcome top-tier competition throughout the fortnight underscores a notable shift in her competitive maturity, a development that did not go unnoticed by tennis icons watching from the sidelines. The report also notes that evert was active on the WTA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s. The report also notes that clinching the first set comfortably, the second seed had a strong start to the match.
