Elena Rybakina Set to Become World No. 1
Women's tennis is set for a change at the top of the world rankings after 99 weeks, with Elena Rybakina preparing to become the new world number one. The Kazakh star has secured her place at the summit after reaching the US Open semi-finals.
Rybakina confirmed the milestone with a hard-fought quarter-final victory over China's Zheng Qinwen. Although she dropped her first set of the tournament, the 27-year-old responded strongly and regained control of the match. She then saved a crucial break point in the deciding set before completing a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory.
The achievement carries historic significance for Kazakhstan. Rybakina will become the first Kazakhstani player, male or female, to reach the top of the singles world rankings. Her rise has been one of the major stories of the season, with the former Wimbledon champion steadily closing the gap on Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the standings.
Rybakina arrived in New York as one of three players capable of overtaking Sabalenka. American stars Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff were also in contention. However, both needed to win the US Open and rely on Rybakina losing before the semi-finals in order to take the number one position themselves. Rybakina's progress into the last four ended those possibilities.
Sabalenka's uninterrupted run at the top began on October 21, 2024. Her 99-week reign ranks as the sixth-longest consecutive spell as WTA world number one in the history of the women's game.
There is still a possibility that Rybakina and Sabalenka could meet once again in a Grand Slam final. The pair faced each other in this year's Australian Open final, where Rybakina prevailed in a three-set battle. A potential rematch in New York would add another chapter to an increasingly compelling rivalry.
For Rybakina, however, the ranking itself is not the ultimate objective. Speaking after securing the top spot, she made it clear that her focus remains on winning tournaments rather than simply climbing the rankings.
"It's just a number right now. My goal is to win the tournaments which I play," Rybakina said, acknowledging that becoming world number one is an extraordinary accomplishment while also noting how quickly rankings can change in tennis.
Rybakina will face Coco Gauff in Thursday's semi-final, while Sabalenka will meet Jessica Pegula in the other last-four clash. With the world number one ranking already secured, Rybakina can now turn her full attention to the bigger prize: lifting the US Open trophy.
