Rybakina leaves Sabalenka fuming: racket slams and a message after the US Open final

Aryna Sabalenka had to speak at the award ceremony because she was required to do so. That’s why she took the microphone; otherwise, she wouldn’t have done it. The Minsk-born tennis player finished the final and went straight to the changeover chair to smash her racket.

"I hope Elena celebrates it today and tomorrow to give me the chance to win something before the end of the year," she joked. "I would have liked to play better," she concluded, looking toward her bench.

Sabalenka was visibly emotional and gave the shortest speech in memory. She had grown accustomed to winning the US Open. She had done so in 2024 and 2025 and was left wanting to do it a third time, like Serena Williams, between 2012 and 2014.

Sharapova, mistress of ceremonies

The champion Elena Rybakina was presented with the trophy by Russian Maria Sharapova, who has lived in the United States since childhood and whose name was added to the list of winners in 2006.

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