New York: Elena Rybakina admitted she was in total shock following a remarkable US Open triumph, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the women’s singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday.

Fearing prior to the fortnight that an Achilles injury might force her out of the tournament altogether, Rybakina put aside physical concerns and weathered a fierce mid-match surge from Sabalenka to seal victory in two hours and 21 minutes, securing her third Grand Slam singles crown.

“It’s just incredible. I still can’t believe it. I mean, no words,” said Rybakina after lifting the trophy.

The Kazakh revealed her preparations in New York were severely compromised, having not picked up a racquet for a week heading into the event.

“Somehow, 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,” she explained.

Despite the severe lack of preparation, Rybakina engineered a championship run off just four days of practice court time.

“Just 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’s just so many things. Everything went my way. I’m shocked,” she said.

Having already defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final earlier this year, Rybakina capped off a banner Grand Slam season by overcoming her chief rival once again on hard courts.

“I 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,” she added.

Following another grueling chapter in their rivalry, Rybakina paid tribute to the outgoing champion.

“Aryna, you are a wonderful champion. It’s 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,” she remarked.

Addressing her physical state, the newly crowned champion explained she threw caution to the wind during key moments despite her lingering foot issue.

“Everything 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,” she said.

The 2026 US Open victory marks Rybakina’s third career Major title and her third tour-level trophy of the current season, raising her overall singles title tally to 14. The victory leaves her just a French Open title shy of completing the career Grand Slam.

Reflecting on her previous struggles in Flushing Meadows, Rybakina expressed her gratitude to the fans.

“I want to say thank you to such beautiful spectators for an amazing atmosphere. I honestly was coming here for the last ten years, and it was never successful. Nothing close to that. It’s just incredible. I am falling in love with New York more and more, and it is amazing for me.”

With the victory, Rybakina is set to make her debut as the world No. 1 in Monday’s official WTA rankings, ending Sabalenka's second stint at the top of the standings. (IANS)