Aryna Sabalenka Told What Her ‘Ultimate Test’ Is After US Open Defeat to Elena Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka has so far played four finals against Elena Rybakina this season, winning two and losing two. She clinched those two wins at the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open.

She suffered the two defeats in Grand Slam finals, at the Australian Open and the US Open. The 29-year-old was chasing her third title in Melbourne and New York (a three-peat). Rybakina now holds an 8-10 head-to-head record over Sabalenka.

Also for the first time since the 2022 season, Sabalenka will end a season without a Grand Slam title to her name. Reacting to the final, former British No.1 Greg Rusedski said Sabalenka’s bullying tactics don’t work against Rybakina.

She can bully 98 of the top 100 players, but she can’t do it against Rybakina. And that is going to be her ultimate test. And that’s where she gets the motivation.

Greg Rusedski said on the Off Court with Greg podcast

Sabalenka struggles to keep her emotions in check in the toughest of situations. Rusedski, however, also believes that remaining calm might not work for Sabalenka because that’s not her natural personality.

All of a sudden, Sabalenka is going to have to look at changing her approach, possibly to beat Rybakina consistently if she wants to get back to the top of the totem pole. And for her, that’s getting back with the team, finding a different approach and putting it in without losing her core belief, her core emotions of the way she likes to play, and finding that balance. […] Andy Murray, for example, tried to be quiet for a while. He was never anywhere close to the same player.

Greg Rusedski added

Sabalenka was chasing her first title since her Miami victory. Before completing the Sunshine Double, she also defended her title in Brisbane. The World No.2 last won a Major at the 2025 US Open.

Elena Rybakina eyes the French Open to complete Career Grand Slam

Elena Rybakina lifted her career’s first Grand Slam title at the 2022 Wimbledon by defeating Ons Jabeur. Now an Australian Open and US Open champion, the 27-year-old will complete the Career Grand Slam if she wins the French Open, where she is a two-time quarterfinalist (2021 and 2024).

I’m super happy that, for now, I won three different Grand Slams. I think that’s a really cool thing and difficult to achieve. For the future, I would like to win the French Open to make it four of them [smiling]. I definitely want to stay at the top as long as possible. It not only depends on me, but also other players. I will try to continue the work, make right decisions, and hopefully stay No. 1 as long as possible.

Elena Rybakina told wtatennis.com

The World No.1 lost in the second round of this French Open, while last year, her campaign ended in the fourth round. So far in her career, the three-time Grand Slam champion has played six finals on clay, winning five titles, including the 2023 Italian Open.

Rybakina won her third trophy of the season at Flushing Meadows in her sixth final. Apart from the two Majors, she won in Stuttgart by defeating Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova. She lost the Indian Wells final to Sabalenka and the Canadian Open final to Iga Swiatek.

Rybakina guaranteed herself the No.1 ranking when she reached the semifinals of the recently concluded event by beating Qinwen Zheng. And on Monday, she officially ended Sabalenka’s 99-week consecutive streak at the top.

Also read: Coco Gauff’s Ex-Coach Breaks Down Ben Shelton’s Costly Tactical Errors in US Open Final