Elena Rybakina leaves the US Open with more than just another Grand Slam trophy.
After defeating Aryna Sabalenka to capture her first US Open title, Rybakina rises one position to become the 30th World No. 1 in WTA rankings history.
The 27-year-old captured her third Grand Slam singles title and second of 2026, bookending the major season after also defeating Sabalenka in the Australian Open final in January.
Her ascent ends Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at No. 1 and marks the first time Rybakina has occupied the top spot.
Rybakina Reaches the Summit
Rybakina arrived in New York with an opportunity to take over No. 1 and clinched the ranking by reaching the semifinals.
She didn’t stop there.
Rybakina went on to defeat Sabalenka in the final, completing a sweep of the season’s two hard-court majors and becoming World No. 1 in emphatic fashion.
Kostyuk Cracks the Top 10
Marta Kostyuk’s career-best season has produced another milestone.
After semifinal appearances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Kostyuk reached the fourth round at the US Open and climbs one position from No. 11 to a career-high No. 10.
Kostyuk turned the corner in 2026, and went 13-3 in her last three major appearances. She carried a 17-match winning streak into this year’s Roland Garros semifinals. It’s an honor well-deserved.
The 24-year-old becomes only the second Ukrainian woman in the Open Era to reach the Top 10, joining Elina Svitolina, who herself rises two positions to No. 7 this week.
Kostyuk is the third woman to make her Top 10 debut in 2026, following Victoria Mboko and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
Zheng Makes a Massive Leap
No player made a bigger leap in New York than Zheng Qinwen.
The former World No. 4 came through qualifying and advanced all the way to the US Open quarterfinals. The run sends Zheng soaring 69 places from No. 121 to No. 52, comfortably the biggest jump among players inside this week’s Top 100.
It also returns the 24-year-old to the Top 100 after her long climb back from injury.
Cirstea Keeps Climbing at 36
Is it really going to be her last season? No matter when her glorious career ends, Sorana Cirstea continues to turn back the clock.
The 36-year-old reached the fourth round in New York and rises another two positions to a career-high No. 15.
Starodubtseva Cracks the Top 50
Yaroslava Starodubtseva also leaves New York with a significant rankings milestone, jumping 15 positions from No. 58 to a career-high No. 43 to make her Top 50 debut.
More Big Movers
Thailand’s Lalana Tararudee climbs 15 positions to a career-high No. 61, while Kamilla Rakhimova jumps 16 places to No. 76.
Notable Post-US Open Rankings Movers
| Player | Previous | New | Change | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elena Rybakina | No. 2 | No. 1 | +1 | First No. 1 ranking |
| Elina Svitolina | No. 9 | No. 7 | +2 | Moves up two |
| Marta Kostyuk | No. 11 | No. 10 | +1 | Top 10 debut |
| Sorana Cirstea | No. 17 | No. 15 | +2 | Career high |
| Yaroslava Starodubtseva | No. 58 | No. 43 | +15 | Top 50 debut |
| Zheng Qinwen | No. 121 | No. 52 | +69 | Returns to Top 100 |
| Lalana Tararudee | No. 76 | No. 61 | +15 | Career high |
| Kamilla Rakhimova | No. 92 | No. 76 | +16 | Big Top 100 jump |
The biggest change, though, comes right at the top.
Sabalenka’s 99-week run at No. 1 is over, and after winning two of the four majors in 2026, Rybakina begins her first week at the summit of women’s tennis.
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