Story perspectives

Elena Rybakina wins US Open, becomes world No. 1

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Elena Rybakina won the US Open women’s singles, becoming world No. 1.
She defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the final, ending Sabalenka’s three-peat hopes.
Rybakina beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals to reach her first US Open final.
Her semifinal victory secured the No. 1 ranking, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign.
Rybakina became Kazakhstan’s first world No. 1 and earned a third Grand Slam title at three different majors.

History

Historical Context

When Justine Henin became Belgium’s first female world No. 1 in April 2003 after a 12-week unbeaten run, she showed how a lone champion could shift the WTA hierarchy. Four decades later, Elena Rybakina’s 2024 US Open win made Kazakhstan the second nation to produce a women’s world No. 1, spurring the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation to intensify elite development.

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Story summary

Elena Rybakina won the US Open women’s singles, becoming world No. 1.
She defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the final, ending Sabalenka’s three-peat hopes.
Rybakina beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals to reach her first US Open final.
Her semifinal victory secured the No. 1 ranking, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign.
Rybakina became Kazakhstan’s first world No. 1 and earned a third Grand Slam title at three different majors.

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