# Aryna Sabalenka opens up on tough emotions after US Open heartbreak and losing top spot to Elena Rybakina

> Aryna Sabalenka expressed deep disappointment after losing the US Open final to Elena Rybakina, a defeat that also ended her 99-week reign as the world number one. The Belarusian will finish a year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Tennis · **Published:** 2026-09-13 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/tennis/us-open-final-mein-haar-ke-baad-chhalka-aryna-sabalenka-ka-dard-elena-rybakina-ke-khilaf-ganwaaya-taj-31730 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, US Open, Tennis News, Grand Slam

Aryna Sabalenka cut a deeply dejected figure following a painful defeat at the hands of Elena Rybakina in the US Open final, a tournament where she has historically enjoyed immense success. The 28-year-old now faces a period of serious reflection after a turbulent week that completely altered her standing at the top of women's tennis.

The loss carries severe consequences beyond the missing trophy, as Elena Rybakina has officially dethroned her as the world number one after an unbroken 99-week reign at the summit. Furthermore, the outcome brought a screeching halt to Sabalenka's impressive 20-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows. Compounding the misery, this defeat ensures that Sabalenka will close out a calendar year without securing a single Grand Slam singles title for the first time since 2022.

## Emotions boil over during the tense final

For a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, the weight of the disappointment was impossible to conceal on the court. Faced with a remarkably composed Elena Rybakina delivering a masterclass performance, Sabalenka struggled to keep her mounting frustrations under control. Her frustration first boiled over in the second set when she conceded a crucial break point, prompting her to violently smash her racquet into the ground.

When Elena Rybakina sealed the championship with a blistering ace past her, Sabalenka hurled her racquet away in utter disgust before making her way to congratulate her opponent. As Elena Rybakina soaked in the adoration of the crowd, Sabalenka slumped into her chair and demolished yet another racquet against the floor. Moments later, sitting alongside her team, she used an expletive while demanding a cameraperson move away from her.

Reflecting on her outbursts afterwards, Sabalenka admitted that managing your feelings becomes exceptionally difficult when you fall short in a Grand Slam final while chasing a rare three-peat. She explained that she deliberately let the aggression out because keeping it bottled up would have made it impossible for her to speak or behave normally on the premises.

## Pundit analysis on mental collapse and missed opportunities

Known for her vocal court presence, Sabalenka frequently berates herself and rolls her eyes during matches, even when securing dominant victories. While she usually channels that raw energy into ferocious groundstrokes, former British number one Annabel Croft argued that her negative body language ultimately paved the way for her downfall.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Annabel Croft described the scenes as extraordinary, noting that Sabalenka projected intense negativity through her posture in the opening set before her emotions completely overwhelmed her. Croft emphasized that this mental unraveling directly contributed to her losing the first set, essentially meaning she was defeating herself from within.

Although Sabalenka held back tears during her post-rejoinder interview while generously praising Elena Rybakina, Croft suggested the Belarusian would reap massive rewards by adopting greater poise. Croft added that the moment Sabalenka failed to respect the exceptional level of tennis her opponent was producing, she completely lost the ability to cope, behaving akin to a frustrated child throwing toys out of a pram.

The heavy expectations Sabalenka places squarely on her shoulders have frequently plagued her during major finals throughout her career. Having claimed four titles from nine Grand Slam singles finals, she has managed just a single victory out of four title matches played as the world number one. Notably, all five of her major final defeats have extended to three sets, and on two of those occasions, she actually secured the opening set before squandering the lead.

## A turbulent season and the slide to world number two

After successfully defending her US Open crown in 2025, Sabalenka commenced the new year with ambitions of capturing multiple major trophies. However, her campaign hit early turbulence when she dropped a grueling three-set Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina, followed by a shocking collapse at the French Open. After dominating Russia's Diana Shnaider by a set and holding a 4-1 lead in the quarter-finals, Sabalenka completely derailed, getting dragged into a deciding set that she lost 6-0.

Her struggles continued at Wimbledon, where she crashed out in the fourth round against Japanese four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, marking her earliest exit from a major in four years. Although she secured three WTA titles this season across Brisbane, Indian Wells, and the Miami Open, she continually found herself playing second fiddle to Elena Rybakina on hard-court grand stages.

The US Open was viewed as the ultimate opportunity to salvage her season, but she must now regroup as she adjusts to life as the world number two. Concluding her thoughts on the campaign, Sabalenka insisted she should remain proud of her overall playing level and take valuable lessons forward, emphasizing that her past experiences prove she always returns stronger and more motivated for the challenges of the following year.

## What this means for you
Aryna Sabalenka's defeat in the US Open final has resulted in her losing the world number one ranking, dropping her down to the number two spot in global women's tennis.

- **For Tennis Fans:** The fierce rivalry at the very top of professional tennis has intensified significantly. Fans can expect highly competitive matchups and renewed battles between top contenders in upcoming Grand Slam tournaments.
- **For Athlete Mental Training:** This high-profile match underscores the vital importance of emotional control and composure under extreme pressure. Competitive athletes are reminded of how crucial mental resilience is during major finals.
- **For Rankings and Seeding:** The shift at the summit of women's tennis alters the competitive landscape and seeding dynamics for future events. Players will need to adapt their strategies to reclaim or defend their positions.
- **For Hard-Court Competitions:** The results establish a clear competitive benchmark on hard courts, showing that rivals must elevate their performance levels to overcome top-tier competitors in upcoming hard-court majors.

## Why this happened
The primary catalyst behind Aryna Sabalenka's defeat in the US Open final was her inability to maintain emotional composure under intense pressure against a relentlessly consistent opponent. The psychological strain of the moment caused her to unravel at crucial junctions of the match.

- **Emotional and Mental Strain:** Sabalenka struggled significantly to keep her mounting frustrations in check as the match progressed. Her negative body language from the opening set signaled a deep internal struggle that affected her shot-making.
- **Outstanding Opponent Play:** Elena Rybakina executed a masterclass in composure and tactical brilliance throughout the final. Her high level of tennis continually pressured Sabalenka, who failed to find an effective counter-strategy.
- **History in Major Finals:** The outcome highlights a recurring vulnerability where heavy expectations in Grand Slam finals negatively impact Sabalenka's performance. Her historical struggles in three-set major finals resurfaced during the championship match.
- **Cumulative Season Fatigue:** Earlier disappointments during the Australian Open and a shocking collapse at the French Open earlier in the year contributed to a lingering psychological burden heading into the final major of the season.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final?
Aryna Sabalenka was defeated by Elena Rybakina in the US Open final.

### 2. How did the match result impact the women's tennis rankings?
The defeat ended Sabalenka's 99-week reign as the world number one, with Elena Rybakina claiming the top spot and Sabalenka dropping to number two.

### 3. What milestone regarding Grand Slams does this defeat mark for Sabalenka?
This defeat ensures that Sabalenka will finish a calendar year without winning a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022.

### 4. How did Sabalenka express her frustration during and after the match?
She slammed her racquet on the ground after conceding a break point in the second set and smashed another racquet against the floor after the match concluded.

### 5. What did pundit Annabel Croft say about Sabalenka's performance?
Annabel Croft stated that Sabalenka's negative body language and inability to handle her emotions contributed significantly to her downfall in the first set.

### 6. Which WTA titles has Sabalenka won this season?
Sabalenka has won three WTA titles this season, triumphing in Brisbane, Indian Wells, and the Miami Open.

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