Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina Claims WTA World No. 1 Ranking

Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has officially become the world’s No. 1 women’s tennis player for the first time in her career, following the conclusion of the 2026 US Open.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) updated its rankings after the Grand Slam tournament in New York, confirming Rybakina’s historic rise to the top. She becomes the 30th player in WTA history to reach the world No. 1 ranking.

Rybakina secured the top position after reaching the US Open semifinals, where she defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Her advance to the last four ended Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top of the rankings.

Following the official rankings update, Rybakina has accumulated 9,901 points, moving from second place to No. 1. Sabalenka is now ranked second with 7,875 points, while American Jessica Pegula occupies third place with 7,265 points.

Rybakina further strengthened her historic achievement by winning the US Open title on September 13, defeating Sabalenka in the final. The triumph marked her first US Open championship.

The 2026 season has proved particularly successful for Rybakina. Earlier in the year, she captured the Australian Open title, and she has now added the US Open championship and the world No. 1 ranking to her achievements.

Her rise to the summit has also marked a landmark moment for Kazakhstani sport, as she is the first tennis player representing Kazakhstan to reach the top of the WTA singles rankings. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Rybakina on the historic achievement.