Four WTA players have a shot to finish this year’s US Open atop the rankings, but one is on the fast track. That would be Elena Rybakina, who can assure herself a career milestone by reaching the semifinals, no matter what happens to current World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula.
Though Rybakina was forced out of Cincinnati with an injury, she says she is feeling healthy in New York, despite the fact that she pulled out of her quarterfinal with Iga Swiatek due to what looked like an Achilles injury after just five games.
“I started to practice, so I feel well,” she said on Sunday. “We’re still making some adjustments. But overall, I’m happy how we dealt with the problem. We worked hard and likely it’s all good right now, and it’s just a matter of a couple more practices.”
Per the WTA, Rybakina can secure the No.1 ranking by reaching the semifinals. In order to extend her stay at No.1, Aryna Sabalenka, the 2025 defending US Open champion, will need to win the title with Rybakina losing before the semifinals.
“I don’t check the rankings, exactly the point situation, but from the media mostly I know where I should get, how the others should play. It’s all the different scenarios,” Rybakina said. “For me, especially now when I had this injury last week, I feel like the most important thing is to just try to stay healthy, and play one match at a time, because this is not the last tournament of the year. Of course it’s a Grand Slam, and you want to do well. But you have plenty of opportunities after if you’re healthy and you keep on playing.”
Sabalenka, Pegula, Gauff each have a chance to hold the No.1 ranking after the US Open, but will need to win the title to do so.
Current WTA World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has held the No.1 ranking since October 21, 2024. Including the upcoming weeks at the US Open, Sabalenka will hold the No.1 ranking for 99-consecutive weeks, the sixth longest streak in WTA Rankings history.
Sabalenka will bid for her third consecutive title in New York. If she can manage, she’d be the first woman to complete a US Open three peat since Serena Williams in 2014.
If Sabalenka does not win the title she cannot finish No.1.
Rybakina owns an 8-6 lifetime record in New York and has never been beyond the fourth round.
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