Elena Rybakina has spent years making history on a tennis court. But when she looks back at the little girl who first picked up a racket, there was no grand plan to become a Grand Slam champion, no dream of reaching the top of the rankings and certainly no thought of becoming world No. 1. There was a girl playing tennis after school, meeting friends and enjoying herself.
Now, at 27, Rybakina is the first player representing Kazakhstan, man or woman, to reach No. 1 in the world. She secured the historic ranking after fighting back to beat Qinwen Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open quarterfinals, while also reaching her first semifinal at Flushing Meadows.
Elena Rybakina’s Childhood: Never Imagined To Be World No. 1
Rybakina started playing tennis when she was around six years old. Before that, she had tried gymnastics and ice skating with her sister, but tennis became the sport that stayed with her. Her father introduced her to the game because he loved tennis and wanted his daughters to try it.
For years, there was no pressure to turn it into a career. Rybakina remembers those early days simply as time spent playing after school and being with her friends.
“When I was a kid, I never thought I’d be a professional,” she said at the US Open. “Or that I’d even be playing on these kind of tournaments.”
Her decision to pursue tennis professionally did not come until she was 17. “That’s where I believed that I can do well,” Rybakina said. “Of course I didn’t know how far I can come.”
Elena Rybakina says she never dreamed about becoming World No. 1 as a child, ‘When I was a kid I never thought I’d be a professional… it was just for fun… I didn’t know how far I can come’ 🥹
“Can you talk about what your dreams were when you were a kid? Was No. 1 something… pic.twitter.com/zcyDgUryRC
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2026
From Moscow Junior to Kazakhstan’s History Maker
Rybakina was born in Moscow and developed her game at the Spartak Club. As a junior, she climbed as high as No. 3 in the world and reached Grand Slam junior semifinals before beginning her rise through the professional ranks.
Her breakthrough came quickly. In 2018, she switched her tennis representation to Kazakhstan after receiving support from the country’s federation. At the time, she was still trying to establish herself on the professional tour.
Elena Rybakina becomes the 30th WTA No.1 Presented by PIF 🤩
@PIF_en | #PIFWTARankings pic.twitter.com/lOEKwTTnOy— wta (@WTA) September 9, 2026
A year later, she won her first WTA title in Bucharest and finished 2019 ranked No. 37 after starting the season at No. 191.
Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022, becoming Kazakhstan’s first Grand Slam singles champion. She later added the 2026 Australian Open title and the 2025 WTA Finals to her growing collection of major achievements.
But the ranking she once never imagined has now arrived.
“Everything Is Possible If You Believe”
Rybakina has been equally moved by what her success means beyond her own career.
After becoming the first Kazakhstani player to reach No. 1, she spoke about the children she sees whenever she returns to Kazakhstan.
“Every time I come back to Kazakhstan, no matter which city I go, it’s always so many kids,” she said. “Now they play tennis and more and more are coming to the tennis facilities. It’s just amazing how many young people are looking up to you.”
“It just proves that everything is possible if you believe,” she said. “If you work hard.”
That thought was also at the heart of the message she shared on Instagram after making history.
“Anything is possible when you believe! Proud to represent Kazakhstan and make history as the country’s first world number 1.”
Elena Rybakina’s Next Challenge Is Coco Gauff
Rybakina’s historic week is not over yet. The new world No. 1 will face Coco Gauff in the US Open semifinal after the American came from behind to beat Mirra Andreeva.
Gauff knows exactly what awaits her. “Elena is playing some great tennis. Congrats to her for being the new world No. 1,” Gauff said. “I think that’s incredible.”
The American also knows the challenge personally. Rybakina beat her in their most recent meeting in Toronto.
“I just have to learn from that match,” Gauff said. “I know I’m gonna have some aces hit on me and some winners hit on me. But I’m gonna keep fighting and give it my all.”
