{
  "id": 7049934,
  "title": "US Open 2026: Who Is The Woman That Handed Elena Rybakina Her Trophy? Maria Sharapova's Connection Explained",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/us-open-2026-who-is-the-woman-that-handed-elena-rybakina-her-trophy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T02:24:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/us-open-2026-who-is-the-woman-that-handed-elena-rybakina-her-trophy-maria-sharapovas-connection-explained"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a heartwarming moment at the 2026 US Open, former champion Maria Sharapova presented the women's singles trophy to Elena Rybakina on Arthur Ashe Stadium.\n\nSharapova, one of the most accomplished tennis players of her generation, won the US Open title in 2006, exactly 20 years prior to this year's event. The Russian, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, retired from professional tennis in 2020 after a remarkable career that included 36 WTA singles titles and being ranked world No.1.\n\nSharapova's presence added a special touch to the moment, as the 39-year-old returned to the same stadium where she celebrated her 2006 victory. She joined Rybakina, who had just defeated defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first US Open title and third Grand Slam crown, and handed her the championship trophy. The passing of the trophy between two Grand Slam champions was a memorable and symbolic gesture.",
  "summary": "Elena Rybakina’s historic US Open triumph was followed by a special trophy presentation as former champion Maria Sharapova handed the Kazakh star the women’s singles trophy at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. Sharapova’s presence made the moment even more significant, as she had won the US Open title exactly 20 years earlier in 2006. Sharapova is one of the most accomplished tennis players of her…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}