Aryna Sabalenka defends US Open title and world No. 1 ranking

Aryna Sabalenka returns to the US Open as the two-time defending champion with her 99-week reign as world number one on the line. The Belarusian star must win the title again to fend off a close challenge from Elena Rybakina, who trails by just 434 points. This high-stakes mission follows a difficult period where her record dropped to 17-7 after a dominant start to the season.

Can Sabalenka reclaim her dominant form in New York?

Sabalenka's season began with a historic 'Sunshine Double', winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back to build a massive 3,000-point lead at the top. But her form dipped sharply after that. She suffered a French Open quarter-final exit and a fourth-round loss at Wimbledon, results far below her standards as a four-time major winner. With 2,000 ranking points to defend at Flushing Meadows, only another victory will extend her stay at the summit. "Absolutely," Sabalenka said when asked if she could rediscover her best on hard courts. "These tough lessons are definitely going to make me way, way stronger and working even harder." Her hard-court prowess, which includes two Australian Open and two US Open titles, makes her a perennial threat.

Why did Sabalenka endorse the WTA's new sex test policy?

In early August, Sabalenka publicly backed the WTA's new mandatory genetic testing protocol. The policy, introduced in July 2026, requires a one-time test for the SRY gene, typically found on the Y chromosome. "I think it's really important to keep the fairness in our tour," Sabalenka said on August 4. "Obviously, biologically, men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would not be really fair for a woman to compete against a biological man." She stated she was happy to be tested and supported the decision, which replaced an older policy based on testosterone levels. Her endorsement carries significant weight given her status as the world's top player for over 92 consecutive weeks.

How did Sabalenka respond to criticism of her US Open outfit?

Sabalenka's fashion choice for the US Open mixed doubles draw, a mesh dress worn over shorts and a sports bra, sparked a wave of online criticism. Some detractors labeled it "trashy" and "streetwalker chic," while others criticized her jewelry choices. Sabalenka, who lost her mixed doubles match with partner Novak Djokovic, was prepared for the backlash. "I love my outfit. If someone doesn't like it, it's okay. You cannot impress everyone with your outfits," she said. She had previewed the new Nike looks weeks earlier and remained unfazed by the negative comments.

What is the state of Sabalenka's season and ranking?

The core narrative around Sabalenka is the dramatic shift from early-season dominance to a precarious hold on the top spot. Her performance data since March tells the story of a champion under pressure.

Period	Win-Loss Record	Key Results
Start of 2026 to Miami Final	Dominant	Won Indian Wells & Miami ('Sunshine Double')
Post-Miami to US Open	17-7	French Open QF exit, Wimbledon 4th Round loss
Current Ranking Lead	434 points	Leads Elena Rybakina
Points to Defend at US Open	2,000	Must win title to keep No. 1 ranking

Aryna Sabalenka must win the 2026 US Open to maintain her world number one ranking over Elena Rybakina.
She publicly supported the WTA's new mandatory genetic testing policy in August 2026, emphasizing competitive fairness.
Sabalenka dismissed criticism of her mesh tournament outfit, stating she loved the design and expected mixed reactions.
Her 99-week reign at the top is threatened after a mid-season slump following a historic 'Sunshine Double' triumph.