Elena Rybakina claimed her maiden US Open title and the third Grand Slam tournament victory of her professional career by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6:4, 5:7, 6:2 in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Following her victory on hard court, the new world number one received the championship trophy from Maria Sharapova in New York. According to tournament reports, the trophy presentation marked the first time the two players engaged in a direct conversation, despite crossing paths earlier in Rybakina’s career.
The Trophy Presentation and Meeting with Maria Sharapova
The post-match ceremony brought together two players who share notable parallels in their Grand Slam trajectories. Sharapova, who won the US Open in 2006, handed over the trophy exactly two decades before Rybakina captured the New York crown. Rybakina stated that while she had previously encountered Sharapova in locker rooms during her early professional years, they had never actually spoken prior to the New York ceremony. Rybakina noted that she felt a strong energy from Sharapova, whom she watched on television during her childhood, and described the five-time Grand Slam winner as very friendly during their exchange.
Climbing to the Top of the WTA Rankings
Rybakina’s victory over Sabalenka concluded a dominant run through the New York draw that included wins over Naomi Osaka, Zheng Qinwen, and Coco Gauff. According to WTA records, the win ended Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the singles rankings and established Rybakina as the first player from Kazakhstan to achieve the world number one ranking. The triumph also sealed a rare hard-court Grand Slam double within a single season, following Rybakina’s three-set victory over Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier in the year.
Grand Slam Ambitions and the Career Grand Slam Goal
With titles at Wimbledon in 2022, the Australian Open, and the US Open, Rybakina’s Grand Slam collection lacks only a victory at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam. Sharapova achieved that milestone in 2012 by winning the French Open, having previously secured Wimbledon and the Australian Open before adding the US Open title. Rybakina reached the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2021 and has collected several WTA titles on clay, signaling her capability on the surface as she targets the remaining major championship needed to complete the set.
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