Martina Navratilova Highlights Elena Rybakina’s Ruthless US Open “Bullying” Tactics Against Aryna Sabalenka

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova offered a striking assessment following the conclusion of the US Open final. She pointed out that Elena Rybakina employed a style of play that effectively amounted to on-court bullying against top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka. According to the 59-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka usually dictates the pace and forces opponents onto the defensive.

However, during this championship match, the dynamic completely flipped as Rybakina seized total control. Navratilova noted that Sabalenka appeared visibly lost because she was unaccustomed to being pushed onto her heels. The tennis icon emphasized that Rybakina did not just win the match by default, but actively earned it through sheer dominance. Navratilova said on Sky Sports:

She just played so well. It was an incredible performance and Sabalenka just couldn’t do anything to stop her. Aryna was on the back foot all through the match and it was a great performance. We do not see that. Usually it’s Sabalenka doing the bullying. I think that’s why Sabalenka didn’t know what to do. She’s used to dictating, to putting people on the defence, on their heels and rushing shots.

The tactical shift caught many analysts off guard, particularly given Sabalenka’s reputation for overwhelming power. Navratilova highlighted that Rybakina’s aggressive ball-striking kept her rival rushing shots throughout the duration of the contest. This relentless pressure dismantled Sabalenka’s usual strategy of dictating rallies from the baseline. She added:

Instead, it was all Rybakina doing that to her. And I did not expect that. It’s not that Sabalenka lost the match… Rybakina won it. She earned that win. It will be back to the drawing board for Sabalenka. What will she do next time if Rybakina is playing this well?

The glowing tribute from such a decorated former player underscored the magnitude of Rybakina’s tactical masterclass. Navratilova’s insightful commentary captured the exact moment the balance of power shifted in women’s tennis at Flushing Meadows.

Elena Rybakina’s triumphant US Open run

Elena Rybakina secured her second Grand Slam title of 2026 with an emphatic victory at Flushing Meadows. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan displayed incredible power and class to overcome her major rival.

The championship match went to three hard-fought sets, with Rybakina ultimately prevailing 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Throughout the tournament, her stellar backhand proved to be an untouchable weapon that kept opponents completely off-balance.

In the final showdown against Aryna Sabalenka, Rybakina struck 12 aces and maintained an 85% success rate on her first serve points. Despite dropping the second set, she bounced back immediately at the start of the decider.

This victory marks Rybakina’s first-ever singles title at the US Open. It also ties her with Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva for the most tournament titles on the WTA Tour this season.

Record-Breaking prize money payout

Winning the 2026 US Open singles title came with a historic financial reward for Elena Rybakina. She collected a record-breaking $5.5 million in prize money for her fortnight of stellar work.

This monetary payout is the largest single prize in the history of Grand Slam tennis. It significantly eclipses previous baseline payouts and highlights the rapidly growing financial scale of major tennis events.

Runner-up Aryna Sabalenka also took home a substantial consolation prize of $2.8 million. However, the defeated finalist made it clear that the financial reward offered little comfort after missing out on the championship trophy.

Rybakina’s record jackpot solidifies a lucrative season that mirrors her dominance on the court. The historic check caps off an unforgettable run in New York that rewarded her elite physical performance.

Also Read: Jalen Brunson’s US Open Experience: Ben Shelton Fanboying & Trying to Avoid Josh Hart