Rybakina is already the world number 1: the victory that changed Kazakhstan's history

Elena Rybakina already has her name in tennis history. The Kazakh player won her first US Open this Saturday and, with the victory over Aryna Sabalenka, also confirmed the change at the top of the world rankings.

Starting this Monday she will officially be the new WTA No. 1, an achievement that makes her triumph in New York something much bigger than just another Grand Slam title.

The first number 1 from Kazakhstan

Rybakina was born in Moscow, Russia, on June 17, 1999, but has represented Kazakhstan since 2018. That change of flag ended up being decisive for her career and has now made her the first person representing that country to reach No. 1 in any of the professional tennis rankings, men's or women's. She will also become the thirtieth woman in WTA history to hold the top spot in the rankings.

At 27, Elena became the new leader of women's tennis after advancing to the semifinals of the 2026 US Open.

Rybakina is a precision machine. She’s not into pendants or tattoos. Despite hitting the ball hard, her unforced errors are few. And it is precisely that statistic that made the difference and set her apart against Sabalenka.

From an injury to the top of the world

The road to New York was not easy either. Rybakina arrived at the US Open after dealing with physical problems and, even so, ended up playing the most important tournament of her career in one of the best moments of her journey.

Before reaching the final, she had to get past Coco Gauff in the semifinals, after coming back from a set down to win 3-6, 6-4, and 6-4. That victory had already secured her the world No. 1 ranking; the title allowed her to add the most important trophy possible to that achievement.

Rybakina began 2026 by winning the Australian Open and now ends the Grand Slam tour with another hard-court title. Her season also includes the Stuttgart trophy and a final in Indian Wells, while the world No. 1 completes a collection of achievements that just a few years ago seemed much more distant.

And there is still one unfinished piece of business: Roland Garros. With Wimbledon 2022, Australia 2026, and now the US Open, Rybakina was just one Grand Slam away from completing the so-called Career Grand Slam.

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