Just In: Elena Rybakina Left in Shock as She Receives a Crucial Message From the President of Kazakhstan After Becoming World No. 1

Just In: Elena Rybakina Left in Shock as She Receives a Crucial Message From the President of Kazakhstan After Becoming World No. 1

Elena Rybakina defeated Qinwen Zheng in the US Open quarter-finals to become world number one for the first time.

The two-time major champion was one of four players in contention for the top spot before the tournament began, along with the incumbent Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff.

But Rybakina knew that she would become world number one if she reached the US Open semis, and did just that.

The President of Kazakhstan, Qasym-Jomart Toqayev, sent Rybakina a message of congratulations after making history for the country.

President of Kazakhstan tells Elena Rybakina she brought ‘great pride’ to the country by reaching world number one

Rybakina received the following message from the Press Office of the President of Kazakhstan on X.

“Reaching the top spot in the WTA rankings is the pinnacle of sporting excellence, achieved through phenomenal talent, hard work, and unwavering self-belief,” said Toqayev.

“With this remarkable achievement, you have brought great pride to Kazakhstan and inscribed your name in the history of world tennis.

“Your journey inspires thousands of young athletes in our country and millions of tennis fans around the globe.

“I also would like to note your exemplary conduct both on the courts and beyond, when engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, which clearly reflects your intelligence and upbringing.”

Rybakina was born in Moscow, Russia, and represented the nation until 2018.

She then switched allegiances to Kazakhstan, a decision that paid off for the player and the country.

Rybakina has won two Grand Slam titles and is now the world number one.

Live WTA Rankings

Live WTA Rankings

And she could add a third major title to her collection by the end of the week…

Why Elena Rybakina is the favourite to win the US Open

The top four seeds at the 2026 US Open have reached the semi-finals.

2026 US Open women’s singles semi-finals

• Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula

• Coco Gauff vs Elena Rybakina

2026 US Open women’s singles final

• Aryna Sabalenka/Jessica Pegula vs Coco Gauff/Elena Rybakina

But who has performed best en route to the final four?

Rybakina has lost the fewest games of the four semi-finalists (36), although her rival Sabalenka has spent seven fewer minutes on court.

Comparing the 2026 US Open semi-finalists

Comparing the 2026 US Open semi-finalists

However, it’s the Kazakhstani player who has delivered the most consistent level throughout the tournament.

Yes, she lost the first set against Zheng, but apart from that, she’s looked comfortable in all of her matches.

And the win against Zheng deserves credit, too, as she recovered from a poor start to win in three sets.

Rybakina wasn’t the only player who struggled in the quarter-finals either.

Pegula lost the first set of her quarter-final against Emma Navarro, Gauff saved match points against Mirra Andreeva, and Sabalenka was down a break in the decider against Noskova.

So, even though Rybakina needed a third set to beat Zheng, you could argue she was in less trouble than her three title rivals.

Rybakina looks like she has what it takes to win the US Open title, although our fans on TalkingPoints disagree.

TalkingPoints vote share (US Open women’s singles)

• Coco Gauff – 42.86%

• Elena Rybakina – 32.28%

• Aryna Sabalenka – 15.34%

• Jessica Pegula – 9.52%

42.86% of our fans backed Gauff, while Rybakina received the second-largest vote share (32.28%).

Sabalenka was third (15.34%), and only 9.52% voted for Pegula.

It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious at Flushing Meadows, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

The 2026 US Open women’s singles semi-finals will be played on Thursday, September 10.

Sabalenka and Pegula will play their match first on Arthur Ashe Stadium, followed by Gauff and Rybakina.