Key Takeaways
- Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win her first US Open title and claim the world number one ranking.
- Rybakina highlighted her mental approach under pressure, explaining: “focus on this little details and not uh focus too much ahead about the rally, just one point at a time.”
- Looking forward, Rybakina confirmed that chasing the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros is her main objective, noting: “that’s definitely my next goal and that’s what I’m going to try to do with with my team.”
Historic triumph in New York
Elena Rybakina joined CBS Mornings following her milestone victory in New York, where the 27-year-old defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets on Saturday to capture her first US Open title and rise to the world number one ranking. Reflecting on the final moments of her championship performance, the newly crowned champion admitted that handling the pressure against a familiar rival required intense composure.
“Oh, so many things to be honest and I was super nervous of course playing for such a big title and uh I mean we played many times with Arena and I knew it’s going to be such a battle and it was very close match and I was just happy seeing the box jumping the people,” Rybakina said. “Just all the friends. It was an amazing.”
The achievement marks a historic breakthrough for her nation, as Rybakina became the first Kazakhstani man or woman to secure the title and climb to the top of the global rankings. Rybakina spoke warmly about the reaction back home and the wider impact she hopes her success will continue to have on future generations.
“Well, it’s a history and I’m so proud and uh you know it’s such huge for Kazakhstan,” she shared. “I received already so much support, so many nice messages and uh yeah, I just know like over the past few years how many kids are coming and they all want to play tennis and it’s just amazing like I’m so happy and uh I can’t wait to to come back.”
Taming Sabalenka and managing inner pressure
Facing Sabalenka, who had held the top spot for an extended period, demanded clear tactical preparation and steady nerves. Rybakina acknowledged the Belarusian’s relentless form and explained that execution in pressure situations decided the contest.
“She showed uh amazing results and she was so consistent over the past few years,” Rybakina said of Sabalenka. “So, I’m super happy like I managed to win this big title and uh yeah, as I said, we played throughout the year so many times and it always has been yeah battles and somehow we for now it was going my way and uh I’m sure we’re going to play with her so many more matches.”
Detailing the strategy that made the difference in the final, Rybakina explained: “I always speak with my team and we have some kind of plan and since we know each other, it was all about the returning, you know, because it’s powerful game from her side too. Just yeah, to to read some moments and yeah make make difference in these key key moments.”
When co-host Nate Burleson asked how she manages internal tension during swings in momentum, Rybakina noted that isolating each specific rally and avoiding future distractions was essential to maintaining control.
“There’s so many thoughts uh coming through the head, but honestly, I’m sometimes trying to zone out and just uh focus on each movement I have to do,” she explained. “Like if it’s my serve, I’m just counting in my head because it’s also all about the uh timing and yeah, just focus on this little details and not uh focus too much ahead about the rally, just one point at a time.”
Chasing the career Grand Slam
With another major trophy secured, attention quickly turned to whether completing a career Grand Slam—specifically targeting the French Open—stands as the ultimate objective in her career roadmap.
“Oh, it would mean everything to me because I think it’s such an achievement if you manage to win all four grand slams on the different surfaces,” Rybakina expressed. “It’s like I don’t know how many people did it. And uh yeah, that’s definitely my next goal and that’s what I’m going to try to do with with my team. We do everything for the next couple years, try to make it happen.”
Asked whether holding the number one ranking now places a target firmly on her back, Rybakina responded with a smile: “For sure. Definitely.”
Elena Rybakina in 2026
Now the world no.1, Rybakina played her last match on the 12th of September when she overcame world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 in the final of the U.S. Open to win her 14th career title.
Currently, during this year the Kazakhstani has a compiled 49-13 win-loss record. Rybakina clinched 3 titles in 2026 at the Australian Open, Stuttgart and U.S. Open.
