Aryna Sabalenka loses world No. 1 ranking as Elena Rybakina claims top spot
Aryna Sabalenka has lost her world No. 1 ranking after spending 99 weeks at the top of the women’s tennis world, reports BritPanorama.
The Belarusian has dropped to second place, with 27-year-old Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan set to top the rankings at the start of next week after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open.
This marks a significant milestone for Rybakina, who will be at the pinnacle of women’s tennis for the first time in her career after pursuing Sabalenka all year.
Reacting to her new status, Rybakina expressed her elation, stating, “Becoming the WTA world No. 1 is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a young girl; it means so much to me. I’m so proud of this moment. I want to thank my whole team for their support and being able to celebrate this achievement with me.”
As she prepares for the last four at Flushing Meadows, Rybakina noted, “It’s just a number right now, I’m only in the semis and the goal is to win every tournament I play.”
Rybakina displayed resolve in her quarter-final match against Qinwen Zheng, dropping a set for the first time at this year’s US Open but ultimately securing a victory of 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Zheng, who has been enjoying a remarkable journey at the US Open, aimed to replicate Emma Raducanu’s feat as a qualifier winning the tournament. With her run ending, she stands poised to return to the WTA top 50 after a challenging period following elbow surgery.
The shifting dynamics at the top of women’s tennis highlight the intense competition this season. As Rybakina relishes her achievement, the immediate focus will undoubtedly turn to the semi-finals and the quest for major titles ahead.
It’s a reminder of how the rankings can fluctuate with each tournament, where the thrill of victory lies just a match away and the pressure mounts on all contenders vying for glory.
