It is Rybakina's first US Open title, and her third Grand Slam victory.
It's hard to find the words right now, I didn't expect anything like this when I came here for the tournament, says Rybakina.
The 27-year-old has been plagued by injury problems, but made it through the tournament without any major issues.
I was dealing with an injury, but everything fell into place for me.
It is the first time since 2022 that her opponent Sabalenka, from Belarus, will end a season without winning a Grand Slam tournament. After the match, she slammed her racket on the ground.
"Of course I'm disappointed but I want to congratulate Jelena for a great year, great results, enjoy it," Sabalenka said.
I wish I had performed a little better.
Rybakina smiled when she was awarded the winner's cheque of $5.5 million, equivalent to just over 53 million kronor.
The victory means she has now won three of the four Grand Slam titles. In 2022 she won Wimbledon and this year she has won the Australian Open and US Open. The only Grand Slam victory missing is the French Open.
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