Historic achievement: Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina becomes World No.1

Kazakhstan women’s national team leader Elena Rybakina has reached the top of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings for the first time in her career.

The milestone became possible after the Kazakhstani player advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 US Open. In the WTA live rankings, Rybakina overtook Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka to become the new world No. 1. The official rankings will be updated on Monday, September 14.

In doing so, Elena set a new historic record by becoming the first representative of Kazakhstan to reach world No. 1 in singles. No player representing Kazakhstan, either in women’s or men’s tennis, had previously occupied the top spot in the world rankings.

Reaching No. 1 in the WTA rankings marks another major achievement in Elena’s career. To date, she has won 13 WTA singles titles and is a two-time Grand Slam champion. In 2022, she claimed her first major title by winning Wimbledon, and in 2026, the Kazakhstani player lifted the Australian Open trophy.

Another important milestone in Rybakina’s career came at the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh. Elena completed the tournament undefeated, winning all five of her matches and defeating then-world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Rybakina has also won two WTA 1000 titles, both in 2023, at Indian Wells and Rome. In addition, she has claimed six WTA 500 titles and two WTA 250 titles.

Elena won her first professional tour title in Bucharest in 2019. Since then, she has risen from one of the tour’s most promising players to a two-time Grand Slam champion, WTA Finals winner and world No. 1.

President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Bulat Utemuratov congratulated Rybakina on her historic achievement.

«Behind this success are Elena’s immense hard work, talent, strength of character and years of dedication, as well as the tremendous efforts of her entire team. This is a victory that unites and inspires millions of Kazakhstanis. I am confident that today’s achievement will become a special moment for every one of our fans and an example for thousands of children who are only beginning their journey in sport.

Elena has proven that a representative of Kazakhstan can be the best in the world. This is a source of tremendous pride for our country and further strengthens Kazakhstan’s standing on the international sporting stage. On behalf of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, I congratulate all Kazakhstanis on this outstanding and historic achievement!»

Rybakina’s rise to the top of the WTA rankings is a historic moment not only for Kazakhstani tennis but for the country’s entire sporting community. From now on, the flag of Kazakhstan alongside Elena Rybakina’s name will stand at the very top of world tennis.

This historic result is also further evidence of the long-term, systematic and productive work carried out by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation under the leadership of its President, Bulat Utemuratov, aimed at developing the sport and strengthening Kazakhstan’s position on the international tennis stage.

Within Kazakhstan, Elena’s success can provide a new impetus for the development and popularization of tennis. Achievements of this magnitude inspire children to take up sport, generate greater interest in tennis and help foster a new generation of players who will aspire to follow in the footsteps of the world No. 1 while representing Kazakhstan.