Elena Rybakina’s historic victory over the formidable Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, has propelled the Kazakh tennis player to the No. 1 spot in the world tennis rankings.
At 27 years old, Rybakina has become a fixture among the elite of the sport; she has rapidly climbed the rankings and even managed to defeat an opponent who is one of the best players in the game today. Rybakina has handed Aryna Sabalenka back-to-back losses at both the Australian Open and the U.S. Open.
One striking achievement that demonstrates Elena’s exceptional level of play is that she ended Sabalenka’s 19-match winning streak in the United States—a streak that had lasted since 2023, when Coco Gauff last defeated her.
Rybakina is a very well-rounded player with a powerful serve and such speed on her feet that she can return shots that would be impossible for her opponents. Furthermore, Elena performs well on all surfaces—whether on hard courts or others—and never loses her strength.
A Halt to the Streak
Elena Rybakina has managed to halt Sabalenka’s streak as she sought to win three consecutive U.S. Opens—a feat that hasn’t been achieved since Serena Williams did so from 2012 to 2014. I don’t think the $2.8 million in prize money Sabalenka earned for finishing second will bring her much joy; it must feel bittersweet for her, since matching the feats of a legend like Williams isn’t something that happens very often.
A testament to Elena’s greatness is that Sabalenka had managed to hold the No. 1 ranking for 99 consecutive weeks, but even if Rybakina had lost the final, the Kazakhstani would have dethroned Sabalenka on points, as Elena has done her part and won enough to stop Aryna.
Now the challenge for Elena is to stay healthy and avoid injuries that would keep her off the courts. Rybakina, who won her first Grand Slam title (Wimbledon) in 2022, needs to win the French Open to complete the Grand Slam set. Only time will tell.
Rybakina has a powerful first serve that allows her to dominate her opponents. Her speed is impressive—to be honest, I was surprised to see her play like that. It’s made me want to keep watching her on the court, as this athlete’s tennis is a delight to watch.
Rybakina won a prize of $5.5 million, the largest in Grand Slam history, but something that isn’t necessarily monetary is that Elena has earned the respect and admiration of the tennis world, which sees a very promising future in the 27-year-old. A tremendous victory for Elena—congratulations to her and her entire team.
