Sabalenka Faces No.1 Ranking Threat at US Open as Rybakina Eyes Top Spot

Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, faces a critical challenge at the 2025 US Open as her 99-week reign as WTA number one hangs in the balance. The two-time defending champion enters the Grand Slam tournament with a 17-7 record since her dominant Miami Open victory earlier this year, a stark drop from her usual standard. With 2,000 ranking points to defend in New York and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina closing within 434 points, Sabalenka’s path to retaining the top spot is far from guaranteed.

Sabalenka, 28, has been the WTA Tour’s most consistent player since rising to prominence with back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 and consecutive US Open wins in 2023 and 2024. Her historic “Sunshine Double” — victories at Indian Wells and Miami in March — reinforced her dominance, but a recent slump has raised concerns. Since then, she has suffered early exits including a quarter-final loss at the French Open and a fourth-round defeat at Wimbledon. Her serve has faltered in key moments, most notably against rising stars like Sara Bejlek in Cincinnati and Ekaterina Alexandrova in Toronto.

“I work on my mental side of the game,” Sabalenka said in New York. “I’ve been trying to reset my mind and come back stronger. It’s only a matter of time for me to come back.” Her ability to regain composure under pressure will be tested on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, where she has traditionally excelled.

Elena Rybakina, the 2024 Australian Open champion and Sabalenka’s rival for the top ranking, could surpass her without even lifting a racket. Rybakina lost to Sabalenka in January but has fewer points to defend. However, her own fitness remains in question after an ankle injury at the Cincinnati Open. Should Sabalenka win the title, Rybakina would still rise to number one by reaching the semi-finals. Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, both former US Open finalists, also stand poised to challenge for the top spot with strong form entering the tournament.

On the men’s side, the absence of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz — who have claimed eight of the last ten Grand Slam titles between them — leaves the field wide open. Alcaraz returns from a wrist injury, while Sinner is sidelined with a knee issue. Novak Djokovic, aiming for his fifth US Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam, remains a favorite despite his age. Germany’s Alexander Zverev and American hopefuls Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Taylor Fritz are among those looking to capitalize on the uncertainty at the top.

With depth in the field and multiple contenders vying for the summit, the 2025 US Open promises high stakes both for the women’s number one ranking and a resurgent men’s draw.

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