Pegula: Rybakina deserves world No. 1 after US Open win

World No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States gave a detailed assessment of Elena Rybakina's season after the Kazakhstani tennis player's triumph at the 2026 US Open. According to Pegula, Rybakina fully deserves the status of world No. 1, infohub.kz reports.

The American suggested that the uncertainty over Rybakina's participation in the US Open may have helped her psychologically.

"She had an amazing year. The fact that she didn't even know if she was going to play this tournament, I think in a way helped her relax. At least that's what she said afterwards," Pegula said on The Players' Box podcast.

Before the tournament, Rybakina's participation was indeed in doubt due to injury. She retired early in her Cincinnati quarterfinal and then did not step on court for seven days. Once in New York, the Kazakhstani underwent additional examination and only returned to full training a few days before the start of the US Open.

Pegula separately noted Rybakina's No. 1 position in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. She secured the top spot after defeating Zheng Qinwen in the US Open quarterfinals. The Kazakhstani topped the world rankings for the first time in her career, ending Aryna Sabalenka's 99-week dominance.

"She secured the world No. 1 ranking. She had an amazing year. I think she totally deserves to be world No. 1. She's playing so well. Best server on tour. And she's good at the net too," the American noted.

Pegula also pointed out that the usually reserved Rybakina began to show more emotion during matches and after victories.

"I felt like she showed more emotion. After winning, she looked so happy. It felt like she was genuinely surprised that she won. Like she was thinking, 'Wow, I'm so happy, I can't believe I got through these couple of weeks.' I thought it was really cute," Pegula said.

Recall that in the 2026 US Open final, Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. This title was the 27-year-old athlete's first at the US Open and third at Grand Slam tournaments after Wimbledon 2022 and the 2026 Australian Open.