“We do everything for the next couple of years”: Elena Rybakina already has another Grand Slam target after US Open

Tuesday, 15 September 2026 at 01:00

Elena Rybakina has already achieved two of the biggest milestones of her career in the space of a few days, but the new world No. 1 is wasting little time identifying the next target she wants to chase.

Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the US Open final to win her first title at Flushing Meadows, completing a remarkable fortnight that also saw her take the top spot in the WTA Rankings for the first time.

The 27-year-old has now won three Grand Slam titles across her career, having previously lifted the Wimbledon trophy in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year. Her latest triumph has left her one title away from completing the Career Grand Slam.

Speaking to CBS Mornings after her victory in New York, Rybakina reflected on the pressure of the final, her rivalry with Sabalenka and the mentality that allowed her to stay composed when the biggest moments arrived. She also made it clear that the French Open is already firmly on her radar.

Rybakina sets her sights on Roland Garros

Winning all four Grand Slam tournaments on different surfaces is one of the most difficult achievements in tennis, requiring success across hard court, grass and clay. Rybakina has already conquered two of those surfaces, with Roland Garros now standing between her and a Career Grand Slam.

The Kazakh star admitted that completing the set would carry enormous significance and confirmed that she and her team are prepared to work towards making it happen over the coming seasons.

“Oh, it would mean everything to me because I think it's such an achievement if you manage to win all four Grand Slams on different surfaces," the new world no. 1 said. "I don't know how many people did it, and, yeah, that's definitely my next goal and that's what I'm going to try to do with my team. We do everything for the next couple of years to try to make it happen.”

Elena Rybakina poses with the Championship Trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka at the finals in Arthur Ashe Stadium during The US Open

Before thinking about Paris, however, Rybakina had to navigate one of the toughest possible opponents in Sabalenka. The two have faced each other repeatedly throughout the season, and their latest meeting carried the added significance of the US Open title and the No. 1 ranking.

Rybakina acknowledged that Sabalenka's power and consistency make her one of the most difficult opponents on Tour, but she believes their rivalry is far from over. “She is very tough, very tough to beat. And she can be quite intimidating at times," Rybakina said. "She showed amazing results. And she was so consistent over the past few years.

“So I'm super happy. Like, I managed to win this big title. And, yeah, as I said, we played throughout the year so many times," the 3-time Grand Slam champion added. "And it always has been, yeah, battles. And somehow, for now, it was going my way. And I'm sure we're going to play with her so many more matches."

The mindset behind Rybakina's biggest victory

Rybakina's ability to stay composed has long been one of the defining characteristics of her game, particularly compared with some of the more outwardly emotional stars on the WTA Tour.

Against Sabalenka, she needed that composure repeatedly as the match developed into a tight contest. Rybakina explained that her focus was not on the bigger picture, but on controlling the immediate moment.

“There's so many thoughts coming through the head, but honestly, I'm sometimes trying to zone out and just focus on each moment I have to do. If it's my serve, I'm just counting in my head because it's also all about the timing and, yeah, just focus on these little details and not focus too much ahead about the rally, just one point at a time. Staying in the moment.”

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That approach also shaped her tactical plan against Sabalenka. Knowing the quality of the Belarusian's power game, Rybakina and her team focused heavily on the return and finding small opportunities to make the difference in the crucial exchanges.

“I always speak with my team and we have some kind of plan," she added. "And since we know each other, it was all about the returning, you know, because it's a powerful game from her side too. For sure."

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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