Elena Rybakina has been making plenty of noise on the tennis court at the US Open, but her latest viral moment had nothing to do with a racket. The two-time Grand Slam champion inadvertently revealed that she had confused one of New York's most famous sports teams after arriving at her post-match press conference wearing a Yankees cap.
Rybakina had every reason to be smiling after producing another impressive performance in New York. The Kazakh defeated former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to book her place in the quarterfinals, continuing a strong hard-court run at a tournament where she has much bigger ambitions.
Her choice of headwear, however, quickly became a talking point of its own. The Yankees logo is one of the most recognizable sporting symbols in the world, but Rybakina's comments suggested that she was not entirely aware of which New York franchise she had been representing.
It was an amusing mistake rather than anything serious, particularly given that Rybakina has never hidden the fact that she is not deeply invested in American sports. But while she may have mixed up the city's teams, there is no confusion about what she is chasing on the tennis court. One more victory in New York could put her at the top of the WTA rankings.
Rybakina's Yankees cap creates a viral moment
The moment came during Rybakina's post-match press conference after her victory over Osaka. The 27-year-old was wearing a New York Yankees cap when a reporter brought up the hat and its connection to the city.
Rybakina made it clear that she was not wearing it because of any particular allegiance to the Yankees. In fact, her answer suggested that she simply liked the design and was not particularly familiar with American basketball or baseball.
“I can’t say I’m following a lot basketball. But I definitely watch sometimes,” the 2-time Grand Slam champion said. “For me, it’s just a hat which I like. Nothing very special about it.”
The Yankees, of course, are not an NBA team. They are New York's iconic MLB franchise, and their interlocking “NY” logo has become a global fashion symbol that extends far beyond baseball.
That may explain how Rybakina ended up wearing the cap without necessarily knowing everything about the team behind it. The mistake quickly became a source of amusement online, especially because she was wearing one of the most recognizable sports logos in New York while admitting that she does not closely follow the city's sports scene.
Rybakina's relationship with New York itself is considerably clearer. The Kazakh has previously struggled to produce her best tennis at the US Open, but this year has been different as she continues to progress through the draw.
“Well, now it’s getting better and better. Before the US Open, I usually don’t perform that well. Now I feel like this year it’s the best for now out of all the years I’ve played here.”
And despite the intensity surrounding the tournament, she has also grown fond of the city and its famously loud tennis crowds.
“I like New York, and it’s an amazing city. For me, maybe just for 2 or 3 weeks, because after that it might be too much. But I really love the crowd here. I enjoy playing in stadiums like this.”
Elena Rybakina in her New York Yankees caps for press conferences era ⚾ pic.twitter.com/NFFZEws5F1
— kat (@rybamuch) September 2, 2026
One win separates Rybakina from No. 1
While her Yankees mistake provided the lighter moment, Rybakina's run has serious consequences for the WTA rankings. After beating Osaka, she is through to the US Open quarterfinals and now has Zheng Qinwen standing between her and another opportunity to become world No. 1.
Rybakina's 2026 season has already included the biggest title of her career so far. She won the Australian Open to claim her second Grand Slam championship, then added another major title at Stuttgart before continuing to establish herself among the leading players on tour.
Her season was less straightforward during the clay and grass swings. She suffered a surprise second-round defeat to Yulia Starodubtseva at Roland Garros and later lost to Elise Mertens in the third round at Wimbledon, missing an opportunity to reach No. 1 at that stage. New York has given her another chance.
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Rybakina's form on hard courts, combined with Aryna Sabalenka's results during the same period, has reopened the battle for the top ranking. Now, Zheng is the only obstacle between Rybakina and the position she has been chasing.
If Rybakina defeats Zheng in Wednesday's quarterfinal, she will guarantee herself the world No. 1 ranking by reaching the semifinals. That gives the match considerably more weight than a standard Grand Slam quarterfinal.
For now, the 2-time major champion may not know much about the difference between New York's baseball and basketball teams. But she knows exactly what is at stake when she walks onto the court against Zheng. The Yankees cap may have been an accidental fashion choice. The No. 1 ranking, however, is anything but.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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