"It doesn't matter who is on the other side": Elena Rybakina has already dethroned Sabalenka as No.1 — now she reveals her calm mindset for US Open final

Elena Rybakina battled against the crowd and expectation placed upon her as she completed a stunning comeback win against fan-favorite Coco Gauff in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. She spoke on this partisan crowd while also eyeing up her imminent final matchup with a first US Open title on the line.

The players knew that it would be a final showdown against Aryna Sabalenka, both desperate to set up this contest. Gauff clinched the upper hand with a blistering end to the first set, breaking before a brace of holds to love got her a huge advantage.

However, Rybakina fought back. Her break lead in the second set was snuffed out, but the Kazakh managed to strike late to get back on level terms before taking a 5-3 lead in the third and deciding the set. Gauff broke back as Rybakina attempted to serve it out, but the No. 2 seed responded in a rampant manner and booked her spot in a fourth Grand Slam final, a first at Flushing Meadows.

She reacted to her win after the match. "Amazing match. Very close match. Super happy, proud. So, yeah, I don't know, I can't find other words, but definitely very happy and proud," she told the media.

Rybakina made some history on the night on top of breaking new ground, becoming the first player to reach the US Open final after coming back from a set deficit in the quarter-final and semi-final, a feat never achieved in the Open Era.

This has not always been the case in the past, with Rybakina having been on the wrong end of some cracking Grand Slam battles. However, there is something different this time. She credited her team for this string of performances.

"I think that now I have a very good team around me, good people, and it definitely helps," she explained. "It's been a lot going on in the previous year outside of the court, and I think now all my focus was on tennis. I can't always perform at my best. There are always ups and downs, but I think we've been doing a very good job, making the right decision in certain situations, because every day is a challenge."

All the lessons and experiences have been utilized well as Rybakina continues to make more progress in the sport. "I'm not getting younger also, and physically there are always some things coming up. So, yeah, I think just all things put together, also experience from the past years on tour, and all these things led to these kinds of results."

Despite this, she is still only 27 years old and has a lot of tennis still to be played. However, some niggling problems she is starting to feel have been affecting her and need more attention.

"No, I feel young, but my body, of course, throughout the years, some things are, let's say, not going away completely, and some issues are staying," she commented. "And sometimes they're just becoming either bigger or, some moments, better. And we always need to work, and that's why the right people are important. I feel like without them, it will be very difficult to reach this high point, and hopefully, if we do everything right and continue to work a lot, I can stay longer."

After Jessica Pegula's exit, there was a threat that an American would not reach a WTA Grand Slam final for the first time in a whole season since 2006. Two decades of brilliant tennis for an esteemed country that has a knack for churning out talent. However, 2026 has not lived up to the expectations.

Gauff had a match point to reach the final of Wimbledon but ended up squandering it. She led in the last-four clash against Rybakina but was pegged back. All the while the crowd was supporting her passionately, roaring with pride every time something significant went her way.

This partisan crowd could have got under the skin of Rybakina, but she stayed cool and composed and battled through with the crowd dispersing rapidly after their final hope bowed out.

Labeled as a 'party crusher,' Rybakina spoke on her role in silencing the New York crowd. "I don't know, to be honest. I feel like it was a great match, and of course a lot of people today wanted Coco to win, and it's normal. I think everyone understands."

As the match went on, the one-sided support became more evident. "In the beginning, I felt like it was a very nice atmosphere, and only in the end, when I was up in the third set, the crowd really supported Coco a lot. But I tried to focus on myself and tried not to listen. I feel like for me it was also my first match on the court at night, and I enjoyed the atmosphere, even if the crowd mostly was for Coco."

This will be the fourth time the duo have met in 2026. Rybakina took home the big one at the Australian Open as she followed in the footsteps of her terrific WTA Finals triumph. However, the Sunshine swing was dominated by the Belarusian, who defeated her in the final of Indian Wells and the semi-final of the Miami Open. Their pulsating rivalry is level with five wins apiece, with their 11th matchup being one of the biggest of their careers.

"We played many times," Rybakina detailed. "We practiced also before, and she's a very aggressive player. It's difficult to play with her mentally and physically because she has a big game, a big serve."

Rybakina explained what approach she will bring to the final. "I will need to come with all the energy I will have, bring my best to serve against her, and make the right decisions in the right moment, because most of the time it's a tight score, and this is where the decision makes a difference. We'll see what's going to happen, but I definitely will try my best and give it all."

Sabalenka was excellent in her semi-final and sent out a real statement of intent against Pegula as she reached a fourth consecutive final at Flushing Meadows. A third title on the spin is one win away, but a third Grand Slam triumph is also within reach of Rybakina, who is not bothered about who is on the other side of the net.

"It's an important match, and since it's a final, honestly, I feel like it doesn't matter who is on the other side," she admitted. "You just want to win and do your best, but also, I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, because we are all very close in the rankings, and even if something goes wrong in the final, I still have another opportunity, another tournament until the end of the year. We push each other when we play these matches, and you clearly can see what you need to work on more, and I think that's great, that you play against someone who pushes you to the limits."

There is another fascinating factor that occurred ahead of this final. Rybakina snatched away the World No.1 spot from Sabalenka with her set to top the WTA Rankings from next week following her quarter-final win over Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka cannot put herself back ahead but winning the title would be a brilliant response, leaving her in a great position to fight back for that coveted spot.