Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable 99-week stranglehold on the WTA's top ranking officially came to a close on Wednesday, and ESPN was there to capture the exact moment she found out. The Belarusian star, who has been a fixture at the summit of women's tennis, watched from the practice courts as Elena Rybakina completed her quarterfinal comeback at the US Open—and with that, the Kazakhstani sealed her place as the new world No. 1.
Rybakina's path to the top was anything but straightforward. She dropped the opening set to Qinwen Zheng before rallying to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in a tense, high-quality affair. The victory not only punched her ticket to the semifinals in New York, but it mathematically guaranteed her the No. 1 ranking—regardless of how Sabalenka performs in her own title defense.
“Becoming the WTA World No.1 is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a young girl,” Rybakina said in her on-court interview. “It means so much to me. I’m so proud of this moment. I want to thank my whole team for their support and being able to celebrate this achievement with me.”
But the real drama unfolded away from the main show. ESPN's cameras caught Sabalenka mid-practice, pausing to watch the final points of Rybakina's match on a nearby screen. As the result became official, Sabalenka's expression remained unreadable—no fist pump, no visible frustration. She simply turned back to her practice, as if the news was just another Tuesday.
The clip quickly went viral, with fans marveling at her composure. It was a stark contrast to her earlier outbursts this tournament, including a heated exchange with reporters and a confrontation with a fan over marijuana smoke. But in this moment, she was all business.
What This Means for the US Open
Sabalenka still has a chance to lift the US Open trophy for the third straight year, and a three-peat wouldn't change her ranking math—she's already been overtaken. The ranking shift adds an extra layer of intrigue to the final stages of the tournament, as both players remain on a collision course for a potential semifinal or final showdown.
If they do meet, it would be the latest chapter in a rivalry that has produced fireworks all season. Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final in January, only for Sabalenka to turn the tables at Indian Wells with a late comeback, then back it up with another win in Miami.
Rybakina, known for her calm demeanor and booming serve, now holds the No. 1 spot for the first time in her career. For Sabalenka, the loss of the top ranking is a bitter pill, but her reaction suggests she's already focused on the bigger prize: another Grand Slam title.
As the tournament heads into its final days, tennis fans are salivating at the prospect of a Sabalenka–Rybakina rematch. Given their history, it would be a battle of wills—and perhaps a chance for Sabalenka to reclaim some momentum, even if the No. 1 ranking is gone for now.
