Aryna Sabalenka loses World No. 1 throne as WTA top ranking goes to THIS player

The WTA top ranking no longer belongs to Aryna Sabalenka. Elena Rybakina has risen to World No. 1 in the WTA rankings for the first time after defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. 

The second seed’s victory in New York guaranteed her the top spot when the rankings are updated on Monday, regardless of further results. She ends Belarusian Sabalenka’s 99-week consecutive reign at No. 1, the sixth-longest streak in WTA history, and becomes the 30th woman to hold the ranking since it began in 1975. 

Aryna Sabalenka loses World No. 1 throne as WTA top ranking goes to THIS player; creates history 

Rybakina is the first player representing Kazakhstan, male or female, to reach the summit of the singles rankings. The 27-year-old, a former Wimbledon champion (2022) and this year’s Australian Open winner, overcame a slow start and earlier injury concerns to secure the milestone. 

Rybakina has been one of the top tennis players in singles. For years, she has been tough competition to Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. The new No. 1 player next faces American Coco Gauff in the semi-finals. She is chasing her third Grand Slam title and her first in New York. 

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