Elena Rybakina confirms if she thinks she’s playing the best tennis of her career after winning the US Open

She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in both finals, while she has also just overtaken her rival as the new WTA number one.

Sabalenka praised Rybakina after their thrilling final in New York, where the Belarusian was aiming to clinch a third successive title.

But her lengthy stay was finally ended at the very last, with the new US Open champion now rating her level following the triumph.

US Open champion Elena Rybakina confident she’s playing her best tennis yet

Speaking to the WTA website after the success, Rybakina was asked if she thinks she’s playing the best tennis of her career.

She replied: “From today’s match, yes, I can confidently say that today was a very good match in the level of focus I kept.

“Of course, we’re all humans, we make mistakes, but today, it was really a great match for my side, especially against such a tough, experienced opponent.

“Aryna likes this place a lot, she won so many times, but I feel right now is definitely my best tennis.”

It’s hard to argue against that verdict, with Rybakina boasting half of the major titles in 2026, as well as currently occupying the world number one ranking.

Moreover, the 27-year-old has just secured qualification for the WTA Finals Indian Wells, where she is the defending champion.

Elena Rybakina enjoys special moment with Maria Sharapova

It was tennis legend Maria Sharapova who handed Rybakina the trophy in New York, much to the delight of the Kazakhstani star.

Describing that moment, and indeed becoming the 30th number one in WTA history, she said: “That’s a crazy number.

“I talked to Maria for the first time today, actually. I saw her when I was just coming to the tour, and we played the same tournament.

“Then, I saw her really close in the locker room, she was about to go on her match, but we never spoke.

“I felt so much energy coming from her, and she’s just someone that I was watching on TV when she used to play and win big titles. It was a special moment to talk with her.

“I lost my thought, but if it’s about Maria, that was just something I never thought might happen to have a conversation with. She was very nice also.”

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It’s been a thrilling two weeks for Rybakina, who will now do her utmost to stay at the summit of women’s tennis for as long as she possibly can.

Sharapova also achieved the milestone in her glittering career, during which she completed the career Grand Slam.

Rybakina is now just one title away from following in her footsteps, needing only French Open success to complete the set.

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