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Elena Rybakina, world No. 1 for the first time, is not resting on any laurels
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Elena Rybakina became the new world No. 1 in women's tennis after her quarterfinal win at the U.S. Open, surpassing Aryna Sabalenka.
- Rybakina, representing Kazakhstan and born in Moscow, aims to win the U.S. Open title by facing Sabalenka in the final, potentially ending Sabalenka's two-year reign as champion.
- Despite reaching the top ranking, Rybakina remains focused on winning titles rather than celebrating the milestone, emphasizing her commitment to future matches.
- Rybakina's coach, Stefano Vukov, was previously banned by the WTA for alleged abusive conduct but has denied the allegations and returned to coaching her after an appeal.
- The 2026 season has seen instability among top players, with Sabalenka experiencing a significant decline after a strong start, while other leading players like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Iga Świątek face challenges in securing major titles.
