Steffi Graf

Rybakina takes Sabalenka’s ranking and her US Open title, and ends the Grand Slam season as its best player with two majors

Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final of the US Open 2026 to win the title for the first time and take the world No. 1 ranking, becoming the first player from Kazakhstan to do either. It is her third Grand Slam title and her second of the season, and she now needs only Roland-Garros for a career Grand Slam.

Cédric Rouquette

September 13, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, US Open 2026

The summit of the women’s season: Sabalenka meets Rybakina with the ranking settled and everything else still on the line

Aryna Sabalenka plays Elena Rybakina in the final of the US Open 2026, the third final at this tournament between the world No. 1 and No. 2 since 2000. Rybakina takes the No. 1 ranking on Monday regardless of the result, ending Sabalenka's 99-week run. Sabalenka has far more to lose, but she is playing her best tennis of the year.

Cédric Rouquette

September 12, 2026

September 10, 1988: Steffi Graf wins US Open to complete calendar-year Grand Slam

The great champion completed one of her most magnificent achievements on this day in tennis history

Steffi Graf

Rybakina takes Sabalenka’s ranking and her US Open title, and ends the Grand Slam season as its best player with two majors

The summit of the women’s season: Sabalenka meets Rybakina with the ranking settled and everything else still on the line

September 10, 1988: Steffi Graf wins US Open to complete calendar-year Grand Slam

August 15, 1995: The day Monica Seles returned to the tour 27 months after the tragic stabbing

August 13, 1999: The day Steffi Graf announced her retirement

July 9, 2016: The day Serena Williams became the oldest woman to win Wimbledon in the Open Era

June 22, 2009: The day Roger Federer won the first match on the “new” Wimbledon Centre Court

June 21, 1994: The day Steffi Graf was stunned by Lori McNeil in the first round at Wimbledon

June 2, 1994: The day Mary Pierce stunned Steffi Graf in Paris

May 25, 1983: The day Steffi Graf became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam match

Incredible dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner may not be the best thing for tennis, or them

April 13, 1986: The day Steffi Graf won her first WTA Tour title

March 31, 1997: The day Martina Hingis became the youngest world No 1 in history

March 12, 1996: The day Chanda Rubin upset the returning Jennifer Capriati in Indian Wells

March 11, 1991: The day Monica Seles put an end to Steffi Graf’s 186-week-long reign as world No 1

January 23, 1988: The day Steffi Graf beat Chris Evert in the first indoor Australian Open final

November 23, 1986: The day Martina Navratilova set an all-time record by winning the WTA Finals for the eighth time

November 14, 1994: The day Martina Navratilova retired from the Tour

November 3, 1975: The day the first ever WTA rankings were released

September 29, 1988: The day Graf took the penultimate step to the Golden Slam