Elena Rybakina snatched the No. 1 spot in the world rankings from Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday, and three days later she took the US Open crown from her. Add in a three-set victory in the Australian Open final, and the Russian-born Kazakhstani has made the 2026 season a living nightmare for the one they call The Tiger. Sabalenka began the calendar as the standard in women’s tennis, but the Ice Queen has firmly taken possession of the throne after claiming both hard-court majors.

The power-hitting Europeans once again the distance on a big stage, but Rybakina entered the another gear in the third set and clinched her third career Grand Slam championship (6-4, 5-7, 6-2) on Saturday evening. Known for her even-keeled nature, the soft-spoken 27-year-old is staying focused on getting better rather than fully basking in everything she has already accomplished.

“The consistency i found is great, but I know in women’s tennis, and just in tennis, everything changes so quick,” Rybakina told ESPN’s Malika Andrews and 2018 Australian Open champ Caroline Wozniacki after her huge win. “I’m super happy with the achievements, but I will try of course to push more and stay at the top as long as possible.”

“I will try of course to push more and stay at the top as long as possible.”

—Elena Rybakina to @malika_andrews after becoming World No. 1 and winning her first US Open title pic.twitter.com/zG2Og9GWdZ

— espnW (@espnW) September 12, 2026