Elena Rybakina stunned the tennis world by clinching the US Open title on September 9, 2026, overcoming a foot injury that left her in pain just days before the tournament. The Kazakhstan star delivered an impressive performance, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final, mirroring her earlier victory over Sabalenka at the Australian Open in January.

Rybakina shared her thoughts after the match, stating, "some magic is happening" as she celebrated her remarkable journey from injury to championship. Her foot injury, aggravated during a quarter-final match against Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati, raised serious concerns about her participation in the year's final Grand Slam. Despite the pain, Rybakina was determined to compete, knowing the world number one ranking was within reach.

She revealed the challenges she faced:

• Suffered from severe pain, unable to walk without discomfort.
• Did not engage in on-court training for a week.
• Focused on recovery sessions and mental distractions like dining out and going to the cinema.

Rybakina's journey through Flushing Meadows included victories over notable players, such as Naomi Osaka, Zheng Qinwen, and Coco Gauff, all without dropping a set until the final. In the championship match, she maintained her composure, despite a shaky first serve performance, landing only 27% of her first serves but winning 22 of 30 points behind her serve in the first set.

Despite some nerves, Rybakina sealed her victory with her 12th ace of the match, marking her third Grand Slam title. Her celebration was a testament to her triumph, as she raised both arms in joy, acknowledging the crowd's applause. With this win, Rybakina solidified her status as a top competitor, having now won two out of three Grand Slam finals against Sabalenka, all on hard courts.