Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula can all claim the WTA world No. 1 ranking for the first time in their careers after the 2026 US Open. Current No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is under a lot of pressure, but the two-time defending champion isn’t fazed: “Well, that’s the beauty of the sport. Throw tough challenges at me, I will come back only stronger.”
This will be the eighth time Sabalenka enters a Grand Slam as the WTA world No. 1. She first reached the top spot on September 11, 2023, and returned to No. 1 on October 21, 2024. Her reign is the sixth-longest in WTA history and will reach 99 weeks with the two weeks of the US Open.
Rybakina, the strongest contender for No. 1 ranking
Sabalenka’s biggest threat is Rybakina, who enters the US Open ranked No. 1 in the live rankings! To officially claim the throne, the Kazakhstani must reach the semifinals — or could secure it earlier if Sabalenka, Pegula and Gauff are all eliminated before then.
However, a dark cloud hangs over her fitness after she sustained an ankle injury in the Cincinnati quarterfinals. Moreover, the Wimbledon 2022 and Australian Open 2026 champion has never advanced beyond the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
Sabalenka, Pegula and Gauff need the title, with Rybakina falling before the semis
Sabalenka, Pegula, Gauff each have a chance to hold the No.1 ranking after the US Open, but each must win the title to do so and have Rybakina eliminated before the semifinals.
For Sabalenka, the top seed and defending champion, that would extend her reign at the top, while Pegula and Gauff would claim the No. 1 ranking for the first time.
Sabalenka appears to be heading into the big challenge in less-than-ideal form, as the four-time Grand Slam champion’s results have fallen well below her lofty standards since completing a rare Sunshine Double in March.
Here is the projected ranking-points breakdown, round by round, as provided by the WTA:
