Key Takeaways
- Elena Rybakina overcame a painful foot injury to win the US Open and secure the world number one ranking.
- She defeated Naomi Osaka, Zheng Qinwen, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka during her title run.
- Rybakina beat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 in the final.
- The victory gives Rybakina three Grand Slam titles, leaving the French Open as the only missing major.
- She becomes the 30th different woman to reach the top of the rankings, replacing Sabalenka.
Elena Rybakina arrived in New York struggling to walk without pain after a foot injury. She departed as US Open champion, having secured a third Grand Slam title and the world number one ranking.
A Remarkable New York Turnaround
The title run followed a difficult build-up in which Rybakina faced serious uncertainty over whether she could compete in the season's last major.
Injury Before the Tournament
Kazakhstan's Rybakina worsened the foot problem during her Cincinnati quarter-final against Iga Swiatek last month, just over a week before the US Open began. An MRI in New York produced an unpromising result, and she said she could not walk pain-free for several days.
Recovery Plan
The 27-year-old avoided on-court practice for a week. Daily gym recovery work, guidance from a doctor in Australia who remained in contact by phone, and evenings out for dinner or at the cinema helped her prepare to play.
Championship Performance
Rybakina converted that preparation into an outstanding hard-court campaign, beating leading opponents on the way to the trophy.
Route to the Final
She won her opening four matches at Flushing Meadows without surrendering a set, including a victory over four-time major winner Naomi Osaka. She then defeated Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals and outlasted third seed Coco Gauff in the semi-finals.
Defeating Aryna Sabalenka
In Saturday's final, Elena Rybakina beat two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2, repeating her Australian Open victory over the same opponent in January. Despite landing only 27% of first serves in set one, she won 22 of 30 service points and faced no break point.
Composure Under Pressure
The final showed both Rybakina's resilience after injury and her ability to stay calm at decisive moments.
A Decisive Third Set
Aryna Sabalenka broke in the 12th game of the second set to force a decider, but Rybakina controlled the final set as her opponent's frustration grew. Former British number one Annabel Croft described Rybakina on BBC Radio 5 Live as machine-like in her composure.
The Closing Moments
Nerves appeared briefly when Rybakina served for the championship, yet she finished the match with authority.
Pressure Point
She produced two double faults while serving for the title, but at 40-30 did not allow the opportunity to slip away.
Winning Delivery
Her 12th ace of the match sealed the title. Rybakina responded with the biggest celebration of her three major victories: a smile and both arms raised.
Ranking Reward
Having already guaranteed the top ranking by reaching the semi-finals, she will become the 30th different woman to lead the rankings on Monday, replacing Sabalenka after her 99 weeks in the position.
What Comes Next
The victory strengthens Rybakina's standing across the major tournaments, while leaving one key title absent from her collection.
Career Grand Slam Chase
Rybakina has now won three parts of the career Grand Slam: Wimbledon in 2022, the Australian Open in January and the US Open. A French Open title is the only one missing, and her best result at Roland Garros has been the quarter-finals. She did win a WTA 1000 clay event in Rome in 2023.
Hard-Court Strength
Rybakina has won two of her three Grand Slam finals against Sabalenka, all on their preferred hard courts. Former British number one Laura Robson said on Sky Sports that, although clay is her least favourable surface, her serve and return can make her extremely difficult to beat on hard courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions about Elena Rybakina Overcomes Foot Injury to Claim US Open and World Number One.
1. What is the story about?
The story follows Elena Rybakina's recovery from a foot injury and her subsequent victory at the US Open, where she won her third Grand Slam title and secured the world number one ranking.
2. Why does Elena Rybakina's US Open victory matter?
The result highlights her resilience after arriving in New York with doubts about whether she could compete. It also marks her as the 30th different woman to lead the rankings on Monday, replacing Aryna Sabalenka.
3. What are the main implications of the victory?
Rybakina now has three parts of the career Grand Slam: Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open. The French Open is the only major title missing from her collection, while her hard-court record against Sabalenka has strengthened her standing on that surface.
4. How can readers follow Rybakina's next career goal?
Readers can follow her future results at Roland Garros, where she will seek the French Open title and try to improve on her previous best result of reaching the quarter-finals.
Based on reporting from the original report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story about?
The story follows Elena Rybakina's recovery from a foot injury and her subsequent victory at the US Open, where she won her third Grand Slam title and secured the world number one ranking.
Why does Elena Rybakina's US Open victory matter?
The result highlights her resilience after arriving in New York with doubts about whether she could compete. It also marks her as the 30th different woman to lead the rankings on Monday, replacing Aryna Sabalenka.
What are the main implications of the victory?
Rybakina now has three parts of the career Grand Slam: Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open. The French Open is the only major title missing from her collection, while her hard-court record against Sabalenka has strengthened her standing on that surface.
How can readers follow Rybakina's next career goal?
Readers can follow her future results at Roland Garros, where she will seek the French Open title and try to improve on her previous best result of reaching the quarter-finals.
