​NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Aryna Sabalenka is interviewed after being defeated by Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan pose with the trophies after their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Aryna Sabalenka reacts against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) GettyAryna Sabalenka had spent two weeks trying to hold onto everything she had built at the US Open.By Saturday night, both the trophy and the No. 1 ranking were gone.Sabalenka lost to Elena Rybakina 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the women’s final, ending her bid for a third consecutive US Open title and snapping a 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows. Rybakina also replaced her atop the WTA rankings, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at No. 1.When Sabalenka was handed the microphone during the trophy ceremony, the disappointment was still raw.“Honestly, I don’t know,” Sabalenka said when asked what she was feeling.She paused, visibly fighting back emotion.“That’s the last thing I want to do right now is give a speech, but I’ll try my very best,” she said.It was a rare moment of vulnerability from one of the most imposing players in women’s tennis.Sabalenka Gives Rybakina Her FlowersGetty Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan pose with the trophies after their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Sabalenka quickly turned the focus toward Rybakina, congratulating the new champion on what has become a career-defining season.“I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, on incredible results, and well deserved,” Sabalenka said.She even managed a joke through the disappointment, telling Rybakina to enjoy the victory “till the end of the season, so I can win some titles.”The respect was fitting after another bruising battle between two of the tour’s biggest hitters.Rybakina controlled the decisive set and finished off her first US Open championship and third Grand Slam title. She also became just the third woman this century to win the Australian Open and US Open in the same sea