Sabalenka's team "is glad" to lose the number 1: "It's extra fuel"

This Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will compete in the final of the US Open 2026 in what is likely the best women's tennis match that can happen right now. The Kazakh player has just taken the number 1 ranking in the world from the Belarusian, who will be seeking her first Grand Slam of the season, her revenge for this year's Australian Open final, and also her third consecutive title in New York. Before that, Sabalenka's team attended a press conference, where they revealed that they were "happy" to lose the WTA throne to Rybakina because that has awakened the beast.

Anton Dubrov, Jason Stacy, and Max Mirnyi have become one of the most recognized teams on the circuit due to their close relationship with Aryna. They are family, for better or for worse, and share a sense of humor that fills them with charisma. Rather than being discouraged by the crisis they have experienced in recent months regarding results, they have taken it with philosophy and have acknowledged that the fact that losing the number 1 ranking will be extra motivation for Sabalenka as she prepares with more eagerness for the US Open final, where she can make history and reverse the situation.

This is what Sabalenka's team said before the US Open final against Rybakina

Victory in the semifinals against Pegula

Well, obviously Anton can talk about the tactical and strategic approach against Jess, as she is very talented and can be a very complicated opponent. But from our perspective, I think the most remarkable thing —and what impresses me the most— is Aryna's ability to stay calm and not lose her way. When it was necessary, she managed to refocus, reset, and approach the next point with total intensity and intention. That was, probably, what caught our attention the most, or at least mine.

Personal evolution of Sabalenka

I would say that, obviously, she is much more mature. Her maturity on the court is also reflected off it; she is aware of many things. Now she manages issues outside of tennis much better, and I think she knows how to separate things much better than at the beginning of her career, when she thought her attitude on the court defined who she was as a person. Now she understands that there is a life beyond tennis. It is her job. Yes, she has a marked character that she brings to the court and uses as a weapon, but that does not mean that if something goes wrong during a match, her whole life is falling apart. She is much more aware of that. That makes things much easier with her (smiles). I think that is the fundamental aspect.

Improvement in dealing with pressure

Of course. Both things go hand in hand. We always adopt an approach that prioritizes the person. What we do off the court, how we face situations outside of it, and how we present ourselves each day is also reflected on the court. It is true that we live important moments during matches, but it is not so much about that specific moment, but rather the everyday environment we have built. I think the most remarkable aspect of her ability to manage pressure is that she understands that this is part of the experience.

In other words, we have chosen to be here; we understand that this is a positive thing and that the pressure can serve as fuel for us. The more she understands who she is and aligns her actions with that identity, the more she feeds off that pressure. For her, the situation becomes more manageable and positive when she knows that she has done things well and has the right people around her; that gives her the freedom to simply be herself. As I said, the key is to have clarity that this is part of the entire process; when we have everything aligned, that pressure drives us, so it undoubtedly is that way.

Sabalenka's consistency at the US Open

I believe that she is in love with New York (laughs). But the first and most obvious thing, I think, is that hard courts are the ones that suit her best in general, to her playing style. This is her fourth final here; she experienced the same in Australia: four finals. Overall, she knows and is more aware of what she can do on hard courts, what her plan A, B, and C are, so she will always adapt better to those conditions. But at the same time, if we compare New York to Melbourne... Melbourne is calmer, and you have to generate energy most of the time.

In New York, it is more about managing it; there is much more energy here, so you have to tell yourself: "Okay, I need to find a space of calm for myself." You know what you have to do the night before. So I think that she has found a routine that helps her recharge quite well and be prepared, because if she controls that energy, she performs at a high level.

What will Sabalenka's tactic be against Rybakina?

Well, I think it all comes down to the fact that we are witnessing the two best players in recent years on the women's circuit. Their results, rankings, and titles speak for themselves. The fact of facing each other on the other side of the net brings out the best in both. I suppose that for us as coaches, there is less to intervene, since both are excellent. They will know how to adapt to any situation —whether it be high lobs or drop shots— regardless of what we say; they will find the solution and do the opposite.

In Aryna's case, we see that she has been improving as the tournament progresses. We are very excited. Without a doubt, she fits in very well in New York. Maybe someone wonders why New York; I think she adapts perfectly to this atmosphere. She likes the star role and being the center of attention; she knows how to manage the pressure of night sessions and thrives on it. That is why she has achieved such success. We trust that she still has one battle left to fight, and we will support her 100%. If she needs to make any adjustments or if we can modify something during the match, we will be there for her and push her until the end.

Sabalenka's bad streak before the US Open

As a team —beyond the individual— each of us knows what we stand for, what we bring, and who we are; we maintain the same attitude every day, whether winning another final or facing unexpected difficulties, on or off the court: we are who we are and show up the same way always. So we have an environment where we all feel safe to polish those details and be present. Aryna knows that, no matter what happens, we will be there and will be the same people.

She knows what to expect. She knows that both the ups and downs and the good moments on this journey are part of the experience. Regarding what you mentioned earlier about pressure: she understands better now that the only way to get through these moments —because they will always exist— is by going through them. When you have the right people around you, you know that you will overcome them.

Changes to overcome the crisis

We do not panic. We all understand that this is simply part of the process. We just give her space to be herself and help her discover what might work for her at this moment. Perhaps we suggest some approaches or tools, or we consider bringing in another person to help with certain aspects at different times; it's about finding the right person, someone who may bring a different perspective. We simply present these options —always with her in mind— and give her time and space to get familiar with them, to try them out and see if they serve her at this precise moment. That freedom, coupled with the certainty of having all of us guiding her, I believe that gives her a strength that few people are fortunate enough to have.

They prefer to win the US Open rather than maintain the number 1

I will just say something quickly, because I think she has a lot of potential. Aryna is remembering who she is; she is very, very connected to her own essence. She knows what she is capable of. She knows that, when facing someone like Pegula on a big stage and in a decisive moment, she has to raise her level. She just has to go out on the court and understand —and I say this with all due respect— that this is her home, that everyone else is just a guest and it is time for them to go home.

I do not say this disrespectfully, but the fact that she steps onto the court and understands that, well, it is her job to set the pace, have her strategy clear, and not lower herself to the level of her opponent across the net —not to adapt to their game, but simply to do her own thing— and that’s it. That is how she plays when she is at her best. She manages to
connect with herself and achieve that balance. When she manages to go out and play
like that, then all her opponents are in trouble.

The only thing I would add is that —beyond what was said in the news— everyone was talking about that number one position for a while, especially for a few weeks. In reality, I am glad that it happened this way. It's over, and it serves as extra fuel: okay, I have to show who is who. Tomorrow we will see a great battle, I hope. There is no longer that additional strain of thinking about maintaining the position or something like that. Now a new chapter begins. It’s time to chase the goal again. It’s an extra motivation; we just have to go for it.

What Sabalenka is like behind the scenes

I would say that, as you can see if you watch her on-court interviews —or the press conferences— she is quite sincere. She is the same person on and off the court; she does not change when answering questions. She is fun, enjoys hanging out, having fun, and enjoying life. Also, she now has a dog named Ash and enjoys taking care of him a lot. I wouldn’t really know how to describe it exactly; she is a very open person. Generally, she likes to enjoy life. Whenever she has the chance to do something, she doesn’t shy away or is timid; on the contrary, she is usually the one who takes the initiative. So, just as she behaves on the court, she behaves that way off it. 

That is precisely what we have worked on with her for years: creating an environment where she can be herself. Because, as we said before, what we do off the court —our daily actions— ends up reflecting in those important and high-pressure moments. The more connected you are with who you are in your day-to-day life, the less energy you consume dealing with the dissonance or disconnection between your identity and your actions when pressure arises; that way you can be fully present in the moment. She is sarcastic and fun, and always wants to make plans. She is always joking with us and plays pranks on us. In the end, that's what it’s about: she is who she is, with the good and the bad. Whatever you think, she is just as she is.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El equipo de Sabalenka "se alegra" de perder el número 1: "Es combustible extra"