Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev were crowned the 2026 US Open singles champions at Flushing Meadows over the weekend.
On Saturday, Rybakina secured her third Grand Slam title and first in New York with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 win over top seed and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Sunday then saw Zverev end Ben Shelton’s home run with a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-2 victory to claim his maiden US Open crown and second Grand Slam.
Rybakina topples Sabalenka
After winning the women’s showpiece, Kazakh star Rybakina said during the trophy presentation: “It’s tough to find the words, honestly. I didn’t expect anything like this.
“Coming to this tournament, I’ve been dealing with an injury, but somehow everything aligned together.
“I just want to say – Aryna, you are a great champion. It’s so difficult to play against you. You push to such limits, I was diving on the court and just trying to get all the possible balls!
“Thank you, of course, to such beautiful spectators for an amazing atmosphere. I’m falling in love with New York more and more. It’s an amazing memory for me. Thank you, guys.”
In contrast, a visibly shattered Sabalenka admitted: “The last thing I want to do is give a speech, but I’ll try my very best.
“Thank you everyone. Thank you for all your support. It was amazing playing in front of you.
“I want to congratulate Elena on an incredible year, an incredible result. Well deserved. Enjoy it and have fun until the end of the season, so I can win some titles!
“Thank you to my team, to my friends. I wish I could have performed a little bit better, but I guess there’s next year.”
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Zverev overcomes Shelton
According to Sky Sports, following a tense battle in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Zverev praised Shelton, saying: “Ben, you’re an incredible player and an incredible person.
“This was your first Grand Slam final, but I already told you you’re going to be back here many more times. If I would have to bet all my money on it, I would bet that you would lift this trophy one day.”
On the influence of his family, the German added: “When your four-year-old son is diagnosed with diabetes and doctors in the office tell you that life and sports will be very limited for that child, it takes a very strong mother to say, ‘my son will be whatever he wants to be.’
“I’m happy that we worked through it and we’re doing things that we’re doing right now. My mother is the most important and strongest person I know because it takes an unbelievably strong woman to do what she did.”
Shelton, meanwhile, told the crowd: “Sascha, congrats on these two weeks, your second Grand Slam title and two in one year.
“What you’re doing is incredible, the way you are serving and moving in play. You work harder than anyone I know and do more hours on court than anyone else. You and your team do things the right way and I’m sincerely happy for you guys to hold this title.
“To New York – you guys drove me here. I’m just getting started and I’ll be back here again.”
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Aidan Leo 
SportJustSport writers