President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Toqaev met with tennis player Elena Rybakina, who won the 2026 US Open and topped the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) world rankings for the first time in her career. The head of state noted that the athlete's achievements inspire Kazakh children to sign up for sports sections, infohub.kz reports.
Toqaev congratulated Rybakina on her US Open triumph, calling her success historic for the country's sport. The title was the tennis player's third at Grand Slam tournaments.
"After your victories, our children show an interest in tennis, sign up for sections in large numbers, and want to become champions too. You set a positive example for our children, and that is very good. Our children should take up sport; it is extremely important for their future. Three victories at Grand Slam tournaments will remain forever in the annals of tennis. I believe you will not stop there and will continue your victorious march," the head of state said.
The president also focused separately on Rybakina's conduct on and off the court.
"You behave well on the court and in your interactions with people. I always note your exceptionally high personal culture. This is also very important, including from the standpoint of presenting Kazakhstan as a developed and civilized state where sport, and tennis in particular, is supported," Qasym-Jomart Toqaev emphasized.
In response, Rybakina thanked the president for his personal support and attention to the development of tennis in the country. She said she is proud of the opportunity to represent Kazakhstan on the international stage and intends to keep achieving high results.
In addition, the head of state awarded Elena Rybakina the Order of Barys, III degree, for outstanding sporting achievements and her great contribution to the development and promotion of tennis in Kazakhstan.
Recall that Elena Rybakina won the US Open for the first time in her career on September 13. In the final, she defeated Arina Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Following the tournament, the Kazakh tennis player officially rose to the top spot in the WTA rankings.