Rybakina On Verge Of Clinching Year-End No. 1 At Pan Pacific Open
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| Rybakina looks to seal year-end No. 1 ranking in Tokyo |
Elena Rybakina needs one win over Putintseva in Tokyo to secure year-end No. 1 ranking. Kazakh star discusses foot injury, rise to world No. 1, and preparation for WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
Rybakina says she got “more attention” since becoming World No. 1, eyes year-end top spot in Tokyo...
Elena Rybakina admitted Tuesday that life has changed since she hit No. 1, saying she has “definitely got more attention” as she prepares to lock up the year-end top ranking in Japan this week.
The Kazakh star, born in Moscow, climbed to world No. 1 for the first time last month after winning the US Open, ending Aryna Sabalenka's run at the top.
The title capped a breakout year for Rybakina, who also captured the Australian Open in January to take her career Grand Slam tally to three.
The 27-year-old said she felt mentally and physically drained after her triumph in New York, but she bounced back quickly to win her fourth title of the season last week at the Ningbo Open in China.
She has already booked her spot at next month's WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
Rybakina can now wrap up the year-end No. 1 ranking with a win over fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in her opening match at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
“The earlier I can confirm it the better,” she said.
“For me it's important just to get some matches and be prepared for the final eight. If I can make sure here after a win that I am going to stay number one then great, if not I will have another chance at the final eight.”
Rybakina took a break after the US Open and made a disappointing return at the China Open, where she lost to world No. 118 Alina Charaeva in the first round.
She then withdrew from the Wuhan Open with a foot injury before recovering to defeat Leylah Fernandez in the final in Ningbo.
Rybakina said reaching world No. 1 alone is not enough for her.
“It was another goal which I achieved which is great, and now there is another one,” she said. “Definitely I got more attention, no matter where I go, which is nice.”
She added that her foot is still not 100% but is improving, saying she is “getting better every day.”
That milestone capped a standout season for Rybakina, who also won the Australian Open in January to bring her career Grand Slam total to three.
The 27-year-old admitted she was mentally and physically spent after her US Open triumph, but she recovered to win her fourth title of the year last week at the Ningbo Open in China.
She has already secured a spot at next month's season-ending WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
Rybakina can clinch the year-end world No. 1 ranking if she defeats fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in her opening match at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
“The earlier I can confirm it the better,” she said.
“For me it's important just to get some matches and be prepared for the final eight,” Rybakina added.
“If I can make sure here after a win that I am going to stay number one then great, if not I will have another chance at the final eight,” she said.
Rybakina stepped away from the tour after the US Open and made her comeback at the China Open, where she was upset by world No. 118 Alina Charaeva in the opening round.
She then sat out the Wuhan Open with a foot problem before bouncing back to beat Leylah Fernandez in the Ningbo final.
Rybakina said becoming world number one is not where her ambitions end.
“It was another goal which I achieved which is great, and now there is another one,” she said.
“Definitely I got more attention, no matter where I go, which is nice,” Rybakina said of life as world No. 1.
The view from the top 🏆 Elena Rybakina is officially your new WTA No.1 Presented by PIF! @PIF_en | #PIFWTARankings https://t.co/SdgQbAgEg3
— wta (@WTA) September 14, 2026
Rybakina added that she is still managing her foot injury but is “getting better every day.”
“After the US Open I didn't do much and in Beijing I wasn't at my best at all,” she admitted.
“Physically, mentally I was really tired so I feel like these tournaments now are really good practice for me,” she said.
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