Hours after Thursday night's loss, the 22-year-old shared an emotional message on Instagram, thanking New York for its support while acknowledging the disappointment of falling short.
"Gave it my all," Gauff wrote. "New York, thank you. It hurts but I'll be back."
The world No. 4 appeared to be in control early in the match after taking the opening set 6-3. However, Rybakina responded strongly in the second set, winning 6-4 to force a deciding set.
Gauff was unable to regain her momentum in the final set. Her hopes ended when a straightforward smash sailed out at match point, bringing the contest to a disappointing conclusion for the American and her supporters.
Speaking after the match, Gauff admitted that the loss was difficult to process.
"Right now it sucks," she said. Her father had reminded her of everything she had accomplished during the summer, but Gauff said she was struggling to focus on those achievements immediately after the defeat.
Despite the disappointment, Gauff said she remains focused on becoming a more consistent player and creating more opportunities to win major titles.
Her goal, she explained, is to continue putting herself in positions where she can challenge for trophies and learn from difficult moments.
Gauff entered the US Open having made significant changes to her game, particularly her serve. In an interview with PEOPLE before the tournament, the 2023 US Open champion explained that she had spent much of the previous year working to improve that part of her game.
Gauff said she had decided nearly a year earlier to change her serve and was initially unhappy with the results. However, she was pleased with the progress she eventually made and said the adjustment allowed her to feel more comfortable and less stressed on court.
Rybakina also recognized the challenge of facing Gauff, particularly because of the American's powerful second serve.
The new world No. 1 described the opening set as a positive start despite the nerves involved and praised Gauff as a difficult opponent.
Rybakina noted that even when Gauff's first serve does not land, her second delivery carries significant weight, making it difficult for opponents to control rallies.
For Gauff, the semifinal loss was a painful ending to her US Open campaign, but her message afterward made clear that she intends to return stronger and continue chasing another Grand Slam title.
