Rybakina, who feared an Achilles issue could keep her out of the tournament, overcame the physical concerns and a strong fightback from Sabalenka to seal a three-set victory in two hours and 21 minutes and claim her third Grand Slam title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just incredible. I still can\u2019t believe it. I mean, no words,\u201d said Rybakina after the title win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Kazakh had not even touched her racquet for seven days before the tournament and revealed that her preparations in New York were far from ideal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSomehow, day by day, we were trying to find a way, adapting to all the challenges I was waking up with every day. I was not touching my racquet for seven days before the tournament,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the uncertainty, Rybakina managed to put together a title-winning campaign after just four days of practice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cJust four days of practice, a lot of belief in yourself and talking with the team nonstop about the tactics, how I played in Canada, how I played in Cincinnati. I mean, it\u2019s just so many things. Everything went my way. I\u2019m shocked,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rybakina had already beaten Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year and completed a memorable Grand Slam season by defeating her rival again in New York.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI did not expect anything like this coming into this tournament. I have been feeling it a little bit with the injury, but somehow everything aligned together on my side,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rybakina also praised defending champion Sabalenka after their latest high-profile battle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAryna, you are a wonderful champion. It\u2019s so difficult to play against you; you push to such limits. I was dying on the court against you. I was just trying to get all the possible balls,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Kazakh player admitted she was willing to take risks despite the foot problem that had troubled her before the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEverything was working today, and in these tight moments I was trying to push myself as hard as possible. On the court I was basically diving on all these balls; I did not care about my foot whatever happened, and it worked,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 2026 US Open title is Rybakina\u2019s third Major crown and her third title of the season, taking her career tally to 14. She is now one French Open title away from completing a career Grand Slam.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEverything was working today, and in these tight moments I was trying to push myself as hard as possible. On the court I was basically diving on all these balls; I did not care about my foot whatever happened, and it worked,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rybakina will debut as world No. 1 in rankings on Monday, bringing an end to Sabalenka's second stint at the top. Her first reign was considerably shorter, just eight weeks in 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n