Aryna Sabalenkova vents anger over racket, cameraman after US Open defeat: Video

Aryna Sabalenkova was left devastated after her US Open title defense ended in heartbreak when the Belarusian broke her racket after a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 defeat to Elena Rybakina in the 2026 final.

After triumphs in 2024 and 2025, Sabalenka was aiming for a third consecutive US Open title. However, Rybakina delivered a powerful performance to end her reign at Flushing Meadows and win his first US Open crown.

Highlights from the 2026 US Open Women’s Singles Final

Frustration boiled over after the match as the world No. 2 smashed her racket on the ground and missed a chance to become only the third woman in the Open Era to win the title at Flushing Meadows three years in a row.

The Belarusian’s disappointment was also visible off the court. As she sat with her team after the trophy presentation, she appeared to be approached by the video maker. Sabalenka seemed to gesture for the person to leave, seemingly seeking some privacy as she processed the defeat.

HOW RYBAKINA CONTINUED SABALENKA IN THE FINAL

Rybakina started better, taking the opening set with her strong serve and aggressive ground game. Sabalenka responded in the second, stepping up to win and force a decision.

But Rybakina regained control in the third set. The Kazakh continued to dictate with clean hitting and a strong serve, while Sabalenkova struggled to maintain the intensity in the second set. Rybakina fought through the decision to seal her first US Open title.

The triumph secured Rybakin’s third Grand Slam crown after Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier in 2026. She also defeated Sabalenkova in the Australian Open final this year.

Rybakina had earlier replaced Sabalenkova as world number one with a win over Zheng Qinwen. For Sabalenka, the defeat meant she finished 2026 without a Grand Slam title, with the 2025 US Open triumph remaining her last major title.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

13 Sep 2026 05:39 IST