Not ‘World No. 1’ ranking, Aryna Sabalenka is eyeing something bigger at US Open 2026
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Elena Rybakina is one win away from overtaking Sabalenka’s as the new WTA world No. 1
Aryna Sabalenka is not wasting her energy thinking much about the world No. 1 ranking at the ongoing US Open 2026. Instead, the defending champion is chasing a third straight title at Flushing Meadows, keeping her hopes of a historic three-peat alive after beating Linda Noskova in a thrilling quarter-final.
Despite her winning run in New York, Sabalenka is in real danger of surrendering her world No. 1 ranking to Elena Rybakina. The Kazakhstani player needs just one more win in the ongoing tournament to overtake Sabalenka as the new world No. 1.
However, Sabalenka has revealed that she would be “more than happy” if Rybakina becomes the new top-ranked WTA player; instead, her true aim is something bigger at the ongoing US Open 2026.
“Yes, three-peat,” Sabalenka said after the Noskova match. “Sounds great.”
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Rybakina needs just one more win to become the new world No. 1. She has been in superb form in New York, making an incredible comeback after an ankle injury forced her to retire from the Cincinnati Open.
The Kazakh star has coasted through to the quarter-final without dropping a set and is scheduled to face reigning Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the last eight on Tuesday night. She has a chance to become the top-ranked WTA player for the first time in her career.
For Sabalenka, however, the goal is to win the US Open for a third consecutive time. She has a remarkable record at Flushing Meadows, clinching the title for the first time in 2024 after beating Jessica Pegula in the final. A year later, The Belarusian defeated Amanda Anisimova to defend her crown in New York.
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Now, she is through to the last four for the third time, having beaten Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (7). When asked if the noise regarding her ranking has given her a “me against the world” feeling, Sabalenka was quick to dismiss the idea.
“I was just focused on myself,” she said. “For me, it’s just funny to see how people are judging someone, guessing, doubting, coming up with random theories about someone. For me, it’s just been funny to see how people are crazy about someone else.”
The top seed will face Jessica Pegula in the semi-final on September 11.
Will Aryna Sabalenka lose her World No. 1 ranking at US Open 2026?
Whether Sabalenka retains or loses the WTA World No. 1 ranking is completely out of her hands. She will lose her status as the top-ranked player in women’s singles if Elena Rybakina reaches the semi-finals at the US Open.
How can Elena Rybakina become the new world No. 1?
Rybakina can secure the WTA World No. 1 rank by reaching the semi-finals at the ongoing 2026 US Open. She faces Qinwen Zheng in the final eight stage later tonight and will overtake Sabalenka to claim the No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career, should she win.
How can Aryna Sabalenka defend her World No. 1 ranking?
For Sabalenka to retain her World No. 2 position beyond the US Open, she’ll have to successfully defend her crown and also hope Rybakina loses her quarter-final clash against Qinwen Zheng. Apart from this, she’ll also need Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula to lose.
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