On Wednesday evening (September 9), Aryna Sabalenka watched from the training ground Elena Rybakina end her 99-week WTA world No. 1 dominance streak. Rybakina defeated Zheng Qinwen to do that and advanced to her first US Open semi-final in her career.
Sabalenka paused the training session to look at the developments at Arthur Ashe Stadium, through the TV screen. A disappointment appeared on her face before she returned to continue training.
The risk of losing the world No. 1 position has been present for a long time. Rybakina's progress began last season, when she closed 2025 with a victory over Sabalenka in the WTA Finals finals in Riyadh.
A few weeks later, she bounced back to once again defeat Sabalenka and win the Australian Open.
Before coming to New York, the 27-year-old tennis player reached the final of the Montreal tournament, thereby returning to the race for the No. 1 position. However, the heel tendon and left ankle injury suffered in Cincinnati raised doubts about his ability to participate in the US Open.
Rybakina had to withdraw from the quarter-finals in Ohio and only confirmed her participation in the US Open at the last minute. But once she set foot in New York, she was completely focused on the goal ahead.
She did not lose a set in the first week of competition, and the overwhelming victory over Naomi Osaka in round 16 really made a strong impression. Rybakina launched 7 direct serve points and won 87% of points in first serves.
Sabalenka witnessed all those things.
When asked by the media about the scenario of changing the number 1 position, Sabalenka affirmed that she was not bothered.
I completely separate myself from those things, because it's all just speculation. It's all'if only' assumptions. I just try to show my best form every time I compete and try my best for victory," she shared after reaching the quarter-finals.
When Rybakina officially took the top spot, Sabalenka gave a challenging response: "I don't care!
She added that she would rather win the US Open than take the world No. 1 position.
Rybakina's momentum continued. Former champion Coco Gauff could not stop the defending Australian Open champion in the semi-finals, even though she won the opening set.
Then it was Sabalenka's turn.
The Belarusian player is rated higher in the final. She has never lost at Arthur Ashe's court in the past 2 years and is facing the opportunity to become the third female player in history to win the US Open 3 times in a row.
However, that night of competition belonged to Rybakina.
The victory 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 came after 2 hours and 21 minutes, even though Sabalenka pulled the match into the third set.
Rybakina rose to the peak of women's tennis after experiencing the most successful Grand Slam season in her career.
She became the first female player to defeat the world No. 1 player in two Grand Slam finals in the same year since Steffi Graf in 1995 (defeating Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario in the French Open final and Monica Seles in the US Open final).
When the WTA announces the updated rankings on Monday, Rybakina will officially become the 30th female player to rise to world No. 1 in the Open Era.
As for Sabalenka, she lost everything in just 72 hours.
First is the world No. 1 position, then the US Open title.
She closed 2026 without winning a Grand Slam title – for the first time since 2022.
Despite the mental breakdown on the court after the defeat, Sabalenka left New York with a determined attitude, aiming to regain the world No. 1 position.
I don't even remember exactly how long I held that position, but it was a great experience. Let's wait and see if Elena can surpass me in that regard. If she continues to play like that, I will have big trouble.
