Deposed Sabalenka throws Rybaka a new challenge: Let’s see if she can beat me

Aryna Sabalenková’s quest for a third US Open title in a row ended on Sunday, September 13, with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 defeat to Elena Rybakina. The Belarusian lost her cool several times during the summit and later clarified that the pressure of chasing a hat-trick of titles in New York made it particularly difficult to keep her emotions in check.

However, at a press conference, Sabalenkova threw another challenge at the newly crowned world number one, stating that Rybakina has yet to break her streak of 99 weeks at the top of the women’s singles rankings.

“We’ll see if Elena beats me in this. If she keeps playing like this, I’m in trouble,” laughed the sincere Sabalenka.

SABALENKA LOSES PELCH IN US OPEN FINAL

While Rybakina maintained her trademark composure throughout the thrilling final, Sabalenka twice let her frustration spill over, firing the ball into the crowd and later breaking her racket as the match got away.

“It’s really hard to control your emotions when you lose in a Grand Slam final and when you were trying to go for three,” Sabalenka told reporters.

“I just wanted to let it go, because if I kept it in, I wouldn’t be able to say a word. I just wouldn’t go there very nicely.”

Rybakina’s composure proved a stark contrast as she absorbed Sabalenka’s heavy hitting before stepping forward to dictate, eventually pulling away in the deciding set to win her third Grand Slam title and first at Flushing Meadows.

“She played really aggressive, great tennis. She was simply a better player than me today,” said Sabalenka about her opponent.

Sabalenka also missed a chance to reward the crowd that had rallied behind her. After facing an American opponent in each of her previous three US Open finals, she finally found Arthur Ashe Stadium firmly behind her.

“I felt like, ‘Oh my God, I feel like an American there,'” she said. “I just wish I could win it and feel the support even more. Yeah, not this year.”

The defeat also ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows and denied her a chance to join Serena Williams and Chris Evert as the only women in the professional era to win three straight US Open titles.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

13 Sep 2026 09:53 IST