Key Takeaways
- Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to claim the US Open title, securing her third Grand Slam trophy and the world No. 1 ranking.
- Rybakina explained that she sometimes chooses to “zone out and just focus on each moment” to control racing thoughts and manage pressure during matches.
- Following her success at Flushing Meadows, Rybakina revealed that winning the French Open to complete a Career Grand Slam is her next major objective.
Managing the pressure on the biggest stage
Fresh off claiming her third Grand Slam singles title at Flushing Meadows, Elena Rybakina has detailed the mental strategies that helped her navigate high-pressure situations on court. The 27-year-old Kazakh defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in Saturday’s final to lift the trophy in New York, demonstrating remarkable composure after letting a straight-sets victory slip away.
Rybakina had seemed poised to wrap up the contest in the second set, but she was unable to convert a game point in the 12th game and suffered a critical break of serve. Rather than allowing the setback to derail her ambitions, she reset completely in the deciding set, breaking Sabalenka twice while facing zero break points of her own.
Staying present through racing thoughts
Reflecting on that high-stakes battle during an appearance on CBS Mornings, the newly crowned champion discussed how she prevents her mind from wandering into negative territory. “There’s so many thoughts coming through the head,” Rybakina explained, pointing out that an active conscious effort is required to retain focus.
To combat the mental rush, Rybakina revealed that she frequently disconnects from the broader picture. “Honestly, I’m sometimes trying to zone out and just focus on each moment I have to do,” she said of her mid-match routine.
Routine and timing serve as vital anchors whenever the atmosphere becomes overwhelming. “If it’s my serve, I’m just counting in my head because it’s also all about the timing and, yeah, just focus on these little details and not focus too much ahead about the rally, just one point at a time,” she described. That deliberate discipline helped her close out the final without panic, remaining locked into “staying in the moment.”
New rankings and future ambitions
The triumph in New York capped a milestone-laden fortnight for Rybakina. In the middle of the second week, she defeated Zheng Qinwen to advance to the semifinals, a victory that simultaneously secured her the world No. 1 ranking ahead of Sabalenka before she went on to win the championship.
With three major crowns now in her trophy cabinet, Rybakina is already setting her sights on new heights. During her interview, she acknowledged that capturing the French Open and completing a Career Grand Slam stands as her next major goal in the sport.
Elena Rybakina in 2026
Currently ranked no.1, the Kazakhstani 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.
At the moment, during this season the Kazakhstani has achieved a compiled 49-13 match record. The Kazakhstani clinched 3 titles in 2026 at the Australian Open, Stuttgart and U.S. Open.
