Kazakh tennis star Elena Rybakina rises to world No. 1

Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina has officially become the world’s No. 1 women’s tennis player after the latest WTA rankings were published on September 14.

Rybakina moved to the top of the rankings after winning the 2026 US Open, replacing Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in first place, Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee said.

The 27-year-old secured the top spot during the tournament after reaching the semi-finals before going on to win the title, according to Kazakh media.

Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final in New York to claim her first US Open title and third Grand Slam trophy.

It is the first time Rybakina has topped the WTA rankings.

She is also the first Kazakh representative, male or female, to reach No. 1 in the singles world rankings.

By Aghakazim Guliyev