From struggling to walk to lifting trophy - how Rybakina triumphed

Elena Rybakina arrived in New York unable to walk without pain after aggravating a foot injury. She departs the city as the US Open champion and the new world No. 1. Rybakina defeated two‑time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6‑4 5‑7 6‑2 in Saturday’s final, replicating her Australian Open victory over the same opponent in January. Clutching the trophy on Saturday night, she said, “some magic is happening” after her difficult lead‑in to the tournament. The 27‑year‑old aggravated a foot wound during her quarter‑final match against Iga Świątek in Cincinnati last month, only a few days before the season’s final Grand Slam began. Playing while injured could have jeopardized the remainder of the year, but Rybakina, aware that the top ranking was within reach, chose to compete in the year’s last major. “I was so upset. I didn’t know how it was going to be day by day,” she remarked. “We arrived in New York and did an MRI. It didn’t look that great.” “I couldn’t even walk for the next few days without pain.” “I was fortunate enough to have a really good doctor in Australia. She was on the phone with us all the time and somehow, with the team, we made a plan.” Rybakina skipped on‑court practice for a week, opting instead for regular physiotherapy sessions in the gym, occasional meals out and trips to the cinema to “switch the mind,” which helped her prepare for another significant triumph. She opened her Flushing Meadows campaign with four straight‑set wins, including a victory over four‑time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. Her subsequent run—beating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarter‑finals, outlasting third seed Coco Gauff in the semi‑finals and outplaying top seed Sabalenka in the final—was nothing short of outstanding. “I was so unlucky with the injury, but I’m really proud,” Rybakina said. “I still can’t believe it.”