Elena Rybakina displaces Aryna Sabalenka to become new WTA World No. 1
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Rybakina outlasted Qinwen Zheng in a tight battle to reach the US Open semi-finals for the first time
Elena Rybakina will finally be crowned the new World No. 1 when the WTA rankings are published on Monday, upon completion of the 2026 US Open. The Kazakh has been chasing the top ranking for a long time, and entered New York with the best chance to achieve this milestone.
Four players were in contention for the No. 1 ranking. Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula could have also finished at the top if they won the tournament, and Rybakina failed to reach the semi-finals.
However, with the Kazakh’s hard-fought victory over qualifier Qinwen Zheng, she is now guaranteed to finish at the top, irrespective of who wins the competition.
Rybakina ends Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the charts. The Belarusian has been the most dominant and consistent performer over the past three years, however, her drop in form since the Miami Open has now cost her the top spot.
Related: Not ‘World No. 1’ ranking, Aryna Sabalenka is eyeing something bigger at US Open 2026
She remains in the race for a three-peat at Flushing Meadows, but even a title will see her settle at the second spot.
Rybakina becomes the 30th women’s singles player to become the World No. 1. At 27 years of age, she is also the second oldest to obtain the top ranking, after Angelique Kerber.
During her on-court interview, Rybakina acknowledged the milestone and was visibly satisfied that the goal she had been pursuing for so long had finally been achieved.
“It’s just a number right now. Of course I’m in the semis, so my goal is to win the tournaments I play. I go just a match at a time. It’s an amazing achievement.”
While the No. 1 ranking has been achieved, Rybakina will not want to stop here. Having made the semi-finals of the US Open for the first time, she will be determined to go the distance. She next takes on Coco Gauff in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Related: US Open 2026: Why fans called Jessica Pegula vs Emma Navarro clash ‘richest match in tennis history’
Current titles held by Elena Rybakina
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- Australian Open
- Stuttgart Open
- WTA Finals
- Ningbo Open
How did Elena Rybakina become the new WTA World No 1?
By reaching the semi-finals of the ongoing US Open, Rbakina surpassed Aryna Sabalenka’s points tally and secured the World No. 1 ranking.
What records did Elena Rybakina make by achieving the World No. 1 ranking?
Rybakina has become the first-ever player from Kazakhstan—male or female—to become the WTA World No. 1. She is also the 30th woman in WTA history to achieve the World No. 1 ranking as well as the second-oldest player (27 years, 89 days) to obtain the World No. 1 ranking for the first time.
Who did Elena Rybakina defeat to reach the semi-finals of US Open 2026?
Rybakina defeated the reigning Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng of China in three sets 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to reach her maiden semi-final at Flushing Meadows.
Who will Elena Rybakina face in the semi-finals of US Open 2026?
Rybakina will be up against home favourite and fourth seed Coco Gauff for a place in the final.
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