ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has moved to No. 1 in the WTA live rankings as the US Open women’s singles main draw gets underway in New York, putting her within reach of becoming the first Kazakh player to top the official world rankings.
Photo credit: ktf.kz
Rybakina currently leads the live standings with 7,911 points. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is second with 6,585, followed by American Jessica Pegula with 6,555 and Coco Gauff with 6,474. The official WTA rankings, however, still have Sabalenka at No. 1 with 8,575 points and Rybakina at No. 2.
The difference reflects points being recalculated during the US Open. Rybakina is defending only 230 points from last year’s tournament, while Sabalenka, the reigning champion, is defending 1,990 points.
A clear path to No. 1
According to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Rybakina has the clearest route to the top ranking. She can become No. 1 without winning a match if Sabalenka, Pegula and Gauff do not win the title. If Rybakina reaches the semifinals, she will secure the No. 1 ranking regardless of the other results.
For Sabalenka to remain No. 1, she must win the US Open and have Rybakina lose before the semifinals. Pegula and Gauff also need to win the title and hope Rybakina exits before the semifinals.
The scenario adds significance to a tournament in which Sabalenka is seeking a third consecutive US Open title.
Rybakina focused on health
Despite the ranking implications, Rybakina said she is trying not to focus on the calculations, particularly after her recent injury.
“I don’t check the ranking exactly, the point situation. The most important [thing is to] try to stay healthy, play match at a time,” she said ahead of the tournament.
The 27-year-old sustained an ankle injury during her Cincinnati quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek on Aug. 20 and retired from the match. She has since returned to training and expressed confidence in her recovery ahead of the US Open.
Rybakina is scheduled to face 17-year-old U.S. Thea Frodin in the first round.
A symbol of Kazakhstan’s tennis growth
Rybakina’s potential breakthrough also comes as Kazakhstan’s tennis infrastructure and development system continue to expand.
In a 2025 interview with The Astana Times, Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Executive Director Dave Miley said the country had made tennis increasingly accessible beyond Almaty, with tennis centers, tournaments and junior programs developing across the country.
Speaking about Rybakina and another Kazakh tennis star, Alexander Bublik, Miley said: “Rybakina and Bublik have been very important for Kazakh tennis.” He added that when Kazakhstan’s leading players compete in the Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup, they spend time with juniors, helping inspire the next generation.
For Rybakina, the immediate task is simpler: win her opening match and take the tournament one round at a time.
The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the 2026 season, runs through Sept. 13 in New York.
