Rick Macci backs Aryna Sabalenka after emotional US Open defeat to Elena Rybakina

Monday, 14 September 2026 at 03:00

Aryna Sabalenka's frustration was impossible to miss after her US Open final defeat to Elena Rybakina, but Rick Macci believes the Belarusian's emotional reaction should not necessarily be viewed as a weakness.

Sabalenka smashed her racket after losing 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, bringing an angry end to a final in which the pressure of defending her title and chasing a third consecutive US Open crown was increasingly visible.

The reaction was striking because it came at the end of a tournament in which Sabalenka had looked increasingly determined to reclaim control of her season. She arrived in New York as the two-time defending champion and reached a fourth consecutive final, but Rybakina had already taken the No. 1 ranking from her before the championship match. The final therefore represented a chance to immediately reclaim some of that lost ground.

Instead, Rybakina completed one of the most significant tournaments of her career. The Kazakh had never gone beyond the fourth round at the US Open before this year, yet she came through a demanding second week, recovered from a set down against Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals, defeated Coco Gauff in the semifinal and then overcame Sabalenka to claim her first title in New York.

Macci defends Sabalenka's emotional reaction

The final highlighted the contrasting ways the two players handled the pressure. Sabalenka fought back after losing the opening set and forced a decider, but Rybakina immediately reset, broke early and pulled away in the third. The victory gave Rybakina her third Grand Slam title, her second of 2026 and the world No. 1 ranking, while ending Sabalenka's winning streak at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka's frustration was evident, as she smashed her racket at the end of the match and then exchanged a somewhat cold handshake with Rybakina at the net following the outburst. Macci believes the racket smash should be seen in the context of Sabalenka's personality rather than as evidence that she cannot handle defeat.

"It is ok after the match for Sab to break her racquet," he wrote on social media. "She wears her emotions on her sleeve that is ok if you still stay positive and believe. She is such a great ball striker and can beat any player any place face to face. She just has to make sure it is not the one in the mirror."

It is ok after the match for Sab to break her racquet.She wears her emotions on her sleeve that is ok if you still stay positive and believe.She is such a great ball striker and can beat any player any place face to face. She just has to make sure it is not the one in the…
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) September 13, 2026

The two-time defending champion had already shown her frustration during the final, including hitting a ball into the crowd, before eventually letting her emotions out after the handshake. She later explained that she needed to release the anger rather than keep it inside.

Her reaction was understandable given what was at stake, but Rybakina's response after losing the second set provided an important contrast: she did not allow the momentum shift to affect the way she played the deciding set.

That difference has become an important part of Rybakina's rise. Her game is built around many of the same explosive qualities as Sabalenka's, particularly the serve and first-strike tennis, but she has increasingly shown an ability to remain composed when matches become chaotic. Against Gauff in the semifinal, she also recovered after dropping the opening set before closing out the match in three.

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Sabalenka faces a different challenge after New York

Sabalenka leaves New York with a season that looks disappointing largely because of the standards she has established for herself. She had won at least one Grand Slam title in each of the previous three seasons, reaching seven major finals and winning four of them during that span. This time, however, she finishes the Grand Slam season without a title after losing both the Australian Open and US Open finals to Rybakina.

The defeat also brings an end to one of the strongest periods of control at the top of the women's game. Sabalenka had spent 99 consecutive weeks as world No. 1 before Rybakina took the ranking, while her overall total of 107 weeks in the top spot puts her among the 10 longest reigns in WTA history. Regaining the No. 1 ranking now looks like a more distant objective, although the race could tighten during the final weeks of the season.

Sabalenka's 2026 Grand Slam results

Grand Slam	Round	Lost against	Rkg. rival	Score
Australian Open	Final	Elena Rybakina	No. 5	4-6, 6-4, 4-6
Roland Garros	Quarterfinals	Diana Shnaider	No. 25	6-3, 5-7, 0-6
Wimbledon	Round of 16	Naomi Osaka	No. 14	2-6, 6-7(2)
US Open	Final	Elena Rybakina	No. 2	4-6, 7-5, 2-6

There was also history at stake in New York. Sabalenka was attempting to become only the third woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive US Open singles titles, joining Serena Williams and Chris Evert. Instead, her run ended at the final hurdle, while her 2024 and 2025 titles remain the defining part of her recent dominance at Flushing Meadows.

What comes next will therefore be less about questioning Sabalenka's level and more about how she responds to losing control of the two things she wanted most in New York. Rybakina has the greater points defense during the closing stretch of the season, meaning Sabalenka could have an opportunity to close the gap in the race for No. 1, particularly at the WTA Finals. Her immediate challenge is no longer defending her position, but finding a response.

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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