Sabalenka's 97-Week Reign on the Line as Wide-Open US Open Looms
Aryna Sabalenka has sat at world No.1 for 97 consecutive weeks. She arrives at the 2026 US Open needing to win the title to stay there.
The two-time defending champion in New York has not lifted a trophy since March. A 17-7 record stretching back to the start of April tells the story — no finals reached, no momentum built. In Cincinnati, her last warm-up event, she fell in straight sets to Sára Bejlek, 7-6(9-7), 6-4, in the Round of 16. It was the biggest win of Bejlek's career and sent the Czech to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal — the tier of tournaments just below the Grand Slams. WTA
Sabalenka was attempting to become the first woman to win three consecutive US Open singles titles. She also faced a difficult path according to the draw, per Reuters. The hole she finds herself in has been months in the making. At the French Open in June, she crashed out to qualifier Diana Shnaider. She said afterwards she wanted to quit tennis. The Guardian
Elena Rybakina began the US Open sitting at No.1 in the live rankings — the running tally that updates during a tournament. The maths is simple: if Rybakina reaches the semi-finals, she becomes the new official No.1 regardless of what anyone else does. But there is a catch. Rybakina retired from her quarter-final against Iga Swiatek the week before the US Open with a leg injury. Her fitness is the question hanging over everything. The Guardian
Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, won the Cincinnati title and looks like a genuine threat. Jessica Pegula reached the Cincinnati final after beating Swiatek. Either Gauff or Pegula could also climb to No.1 — but only if they win the title and Rybakina falls short of the semi-finals. Every player in the top 11 holds a WTA 1000 title or above. The depth is real.
Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion, won in Toronto and looked rejuvenated after a year marked by anxiety and nerves in matches. Andreeva won the French Open. The women's field does not lack for contenders.
On the men's side, Jannik Sinner withdrew with a knee injury, leaving the draw wide open. Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, returned from a four-month layoff with a right wrist injury. He and Alexander Zverev — the new French Open champion — head the seeds. US Open
Alcaraz's return comes with a twist: he also entered the mixed doubles, partnered with Serena Williams.
The stakes are straightforward. Sabalenka needs the title to keep her ranking. Rybakina needs four wins. The rest of the field needs both to stumble. New York will sort it out.
