A Champion’s Welcome
Elena Rybakina’s breakthrough at the US Open ended with a fitting moment of tennis royalty. After capturing her first title at Flushing Meadows, the Kazakh star received the championship trophy from former US Open champion Maria Sharapova, creating one of the most memorable scenes from this year’s tournament.
The presentation brought together two major figures from different generations of women’s tennis. Sharapova, who won the US Open in 2006, stood on the court decades after her own triumph to hand the prestigious trophy to Rybakina.
Rybakina Completes a Remarkable Run
Rybakina secured the title by defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a gripping final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory gave the 27-year-old her third Grand Slam championship and her second major title of 2026.
The result was particularly significant because Sabalenka had won the previous two US Open championships and arrived in New York chasing a third consecutive crown. Rybakina’s victory ended that run and added another chapter to their increasingly compelling rivalry.
A Special Trophy Presentation
As Rybakina celebrated her achievement, Sharapova presented the champion with the US Open trophy. Photographs from the ceremony captured the two stars together with the silverware, providing a symbolic passing-of-the-torch moment between two Grand Slam champions.
Sharapova’s presence added another layer of history to an already emotional ceremony. The former world No. 1 remains one of the most recognizable figures in tennis, while Rybakina is now firmly establishing herself among the sport’s elite.
From Injury Concern to Champion
Rybakina’s triumph was even more remarkable considering the uncertainty surrounding her participation just weeks earlier. She retired from her Cincinnati quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek with an Achilles concern and subsequently had to manage her preparation carefully.
Instead of allowing those concerns to derail her campaign, Rybakina produced seven straight victories in New York. She defeated Naomi Osaka, Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff before overcoming Sabalenka in the final.
A New Chapter for Rybakina
The US Open crown also propelled Rybakina to the top of the women’s game. Her victory secured the world No. 1 ranking, making the achievement even more significant for Kazakhstan and for her growing legacy.
For Rybakina, receiving the trophy from Sharapova was more than simply the conclusion of a championship ceremony. It was a memorable image linking the past and present of women’s tennis.
With three Grand Slam titles now on her résumé and the world No. 1 ranking within her grasp, Rybakina’s latest triumph signals that she has entered a new stage of her career.
And with Sharapova handing her the trophy, the moment felt like a symbolic welcome into the next generation of tennis greats