Elena Rybakina, the newly crowned World No. 1 from Kazakhstan, faced a frosty reception from the audience at Arthur Ashe Stadium after her impressive comeback victory over American player Coco Gauff on September 10. Rybakina initially lost the first set 3-6 but rallied to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-4, securing her spot in her first US Open final and her fourth Grand Slam final overall.
This match marked the second occasion in the tournament where Rybakina had to recover from a set down, having previously done so against China’s Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals.
Prior to this semifinal, Rybakina ascended to the top of the WTA rankings, dethroning Aryna Sabalenka after her quarterfinal win. She will officially be recognized as the top-ranked player once the WTA updates its rankings post-US Open 2026.
Crowd’s Disappointment at Rybakina’s Victory
As Rybakina moved into her first US Open final, the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium expressed their discontent, offering a tepid and chilly reception after she eliminated local favorite Coco Gauff from the tournament. A video shared by the US Open on its X (formerly Twitter) account showed the sparse audience giving minimal applause, with many spectators leaving before Rybakina could begin her post-match interview.
During her interview, Rybakina addressed the crowd’s evident preference for Gauff, stating, “I know you guys wanted her to win. It was a tough battle, and I just tried to stay focused and aggressive to win the match.”
Social Media Backlash Against the Crowd
The cold response from the Arthur Ashe crowd has ignited significant backlash on social media, with many fans criticizing the audience for their lack of support for Rybakina after her hard-fought win. Comments on X described the crowd’s behavior as ‘disgraceful’ and ‘disrespectful,’ with some expressing disappointment over the absence of applause for Rybakina’s performance.
Fans voiced their frustration over the rapid exit of spectators, with one user labeling it a ‘disgrace’ and claiming that the US Open has the ‘worst crowd of all Grand Slams.’ Many questioned why the audience did not acknowledge Rybakina’s victory with applause.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Elena Rybakina is now set to compete for her first US Open title and her second Grand Slam championship, following her triumph at Wimbledon in 2022. She will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the highly anticipated final on September 12.