ST. PETERSBURG, FL, September 9, 2026 (WTA Media Release)
The WTA announced today that Elena Rybakina will become the new PIF WTA World No.1 in singles for the first time in her career when the updated rankings are released after the US Open on Monday, September 14.
The 27-year-old will be the 30th woman to capture the No.1 ranking and will make history as the first man or woman from Kazakhstan to reach the top spot.
Entering the US Open, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula were also in contention to take over as the WTA World No.1 however following results today in New York it is Rybakina that will now overtake Aryna Sabalenka, who has held the elite ranking since October 2024 with 107 weeks to her name, the 10th most of all-time.
“Becoming the WTA World No.1 is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a young girl, it means so much to me,” said Rybakina. “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.”
Rybakina has enjoyed an incredible 12 months on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz highlighted by her undefeated triumph at the 2025 WTA Finals which saw her earn a record-breaking $5.235 million, which at the time was the largest amount of prize money awarded in the history of women’s sport.
She also won the second Grand Slam of her career in Melbourne at the 2026 Australian Open, scored a clay court title at the WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in April, and in late 2025 won further silverware at the WTA 250 AUX Ningbo Open.
Rybakina has also posted consistently strong results at WTA 1000 tournaments this season, finishing runner-up at the BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) and National Bank Open presented by Rogers (Toronto) in addition to a semifinal run at the Miami Open presented by Itaú. She’s currently in action at the US Open and is through to the semifinals, with her quarterfinal win over Zheng Qinwen earlier today confirming her new WTA World No.1 status.
Rybakina’s dominance in 2026 also extends beyond the rankings, as she also leads the Tour for aces, having served over 350 this season.
Click here to read more on Rybakina’s rise to the become the new PIF WTA World No.1 in singles.
