Elena Rybakina remained composed throughout the 2026 US Open, which eventually helped her earn the title. But that didn’t mean she was always calm deep down.

After her quarterfinal win over Qinwen Zheng, Rybakina said there was a “bit of a battle” going on inside her head.

Despite this, her ability to refocus after a mistake was a key component in her victory Saturday, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Resilience After Injury

Rybakina had a lot of uncertainty entering the tournament. At the Cincinnati Open, the tournament prior to the US Open, Rybakina was forced to retire in her quarterfinal match against Iga Swiatek due to a foot injury. 

However, she didn’t let the setback deter her. Instead, she made a plan with her team, spent hours in the gym undergoing recovery treatments and called her doctor often in order to give the US Open her best shot.

“Every day was kind of a challenge, but I felt like in these situations I was more calm than when similar things were happening before,” Rybakina said in the post-final press conference.

After Cincinnati, she didn’t touch a racket for a week, leaving her with only four days to practice before competing in New York.

But her ability to adapt and not let the results of her last tournament affect her led Rybakina to claim the trophy.

The New World No. 1

Entering the final, Rybakina knew she would become world No. 1 Monday, regardless of the result.

Her journey was by no means linear. After winning Wimbledon in 2022, she didn’t win another major title until 2026.

“On your path you learn a lot, a lot of things [are] happening, and I feel like now I have a great team, great people around me and we just continue the work and it finally paid off,” she said.

While some athletes might take their foot off the gas after achieving a goal as great as securing the No. 1 ranking, Rybakina remained focused on winning the championship.

“It was a relief after because I achieved one goal and then of course whatever happens after, you just try to play,” she said in an ESPN interview following the final.

“On your path you learn a lot, a lot of things [are] happening, and I feel like now I have a great team, great people around me and we just continue the work and it finally paid off.”

Elena Rybakina

Ability to Reset

Rybakina’s ability to reset served her especially well in the final. After momentum shifted to Sablenka, who won the second set, she was able to regroup and dominate the third set.

“In the third set I told myself that I can still do it,” she said. “I need to focus on my serve and just risk a little bit more when I have the chance.”

After breaking Sabalenka’s serve early in the set, Rybakina continued to play aggressively and use her powerful serve as a weapon, winning the match on an ace.

Power of Mental Strength

Rybakina was able to stay mentally steady despite an injury, the pressure of becoming the new world No. 1, and losing the second set of the match.

She was able to adjust and stay adaptable, no matter the setback, and because of it, she came out victorious.