‘Oh my God, I feel American’: Aryna Sabalenka reflects after losing US Open title, No 1 to Elena Rybakina

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenkova reacts during her US Open women’s singles final match against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakin. Aryna Sabalenkova may have lost the US Open final and her world No. 1 ranking, but the support she received from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium left her with a special feeling.“I actually felt like, ‘Oh my God, I feel like an American,'” Sabalenkova said after losing to Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s final (local time).Sabalenkova was denied a third straight US Open title as Rybakina won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Rybakina already secured the top spot before the final, meaning Sabalenka’s 99-week run at the top will end on Monday.The crowd continued to support Sabalenko as she battled for the second set and stayed behind even as Rybakina took control of the decider.“It was an amazing feeling,” Sabalenka said. “I actually felt like at some point, ‘Oh my God, I feel like an American.’“I just wish I could, you know, win it and feel the support even more.”The 28-year-old Sabalenka said she still has reason to be happy with her performance at the tournament and will use her experience to come back stronger.“I think overall I should be happy with the level I played and there are a lot of things to take from this tournament,” said the Belarusian, who defeated world number four Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals.It was the first time since 2022 that Sabalenkova will end the season without a Grand Slam title. She lost to Rybakina in the Australian Open final, reached the quarterfinals at the French Open and left Wimbledon in the fourth round.

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Share an opinionHer last major title came at the Australian Open, while her last run of titles came with the Indian Wells-Miami double in March.“As experience shows, I only come back stronger and all these lessons this season definitely made me stronger, but they will definitely motivate me next year to (and) do better.”Sabalenka also said that losing the No. 1 ranking will not change the way opponents approach matches against her.“I still think when you go there, you have a target on your back. It doesn’t matter if you’re No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, whatever it is.”“I will continue to work hard and keep improving my tennis, my level. I hope to win some more tournaments,” she said.Despite losing the top ranking, Sabalenka will be proud to have spent 107 weeks as world number one, including 99 consecutive weeks.“Ninety-nine? Well, that’s amazing,” she said. “We’ll see if Elena can beat me at that.