Story perspectives

Rybakina Wins 2026 U.S. Open, Becomes World No. 1

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 10:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the 2026 U.S. Open women’s singles.
She earned $5.5 million, the largest Grand Slam payout ever.
The victory moved Rybakina to world No. 1, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign.
Rybakina sealed the win with a 12th ace on match point.
She played through a lingering ankle injury throughout the tournament.

History

Historical Context

When unseeded mother Kim Clijsters captured the 2009 US Open women’s title, the USTA awarded her $1.6 million, the largest single-player prize at the time. By 2026, the USTA’s prize pool had risen to a record $108 million in total compensation, with Elena Rybakina earning $5.5 million for the women’s crown, reflecting the WTA’s long-running drive for gender-parity and higher financial incentives.

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Story summary

Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the 2026 U.S. Open women’s singles.
She earned $5.5 million, the largest Grand Slam payout ever.
The victory moved Rybakina to world No. 1, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign.
Rybakina sealed the win with a 12th ace on match point.
She played through a lingering ankle injury throughout the tournament.

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