Maybe I will take it back: Sabalenka ready for the No.1 challenge vs Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka has admitted it felt "a bit weird" to lose the world No.1 ranking despite reaching the US Open final. The Belarusian, however, has accepted Elena Rybakina's rise and is focused on winning the title in New York.Sabalenka and Rybakina will face off in the US Open women's singles final. (Photo: Reuters)Aryna Sabalenka has finally opened up on losing the world No.1 ranking to Elena Rybakina, admitting it felt “a bit weird” to be performing well at the US Open while watching her position at the top slip away. The Belarusian, though, is refusing to dwell on the setback ahead of a blockbuster final against Rybakina.Rybakina secured the No.1 ranking when she fought back to beat Qinwen Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarter-finals. The victory guaranteed that the Kazakh would replace Sabalenka at the top of the rankings, ending the Belarusian's 99-week reign, before Rybakina went on to beat Coco Gauff in the semi-final and book her place in the final.Speaking at her press conference after beating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the semi-final, Sabalenka accepted that Rybakina had done enough to take the top spot after her own dip in form during the middle of the season.“I really understand how tough it is to reach world No.1. It was one of my goals. But right now, not much I could do. I didn’t really perform well in the middle of the season. Elena took it over and played really well,” Sabalenka said. The 28-year-old has now reached her fourth consecutive US Open final, giving herself a chance to finish the tournament with another Grand Slam title despite losing the ranking.“I can only focus on myself and stay in the moment and try to do my best right now. Just keep it tight and maybe I will take it back from her,” she added.SABALENKA ACCEPTS THE NO.1 CHANGE The timing of the ranking change has made the situation particularly unusual. Sabalenka has been one of the standout players in New York once again and will defend her title in the final, yet Rybakina's run was enough to take the top ranking away from her.Sabalenka admitted she found that difficult to reconcile, but insisted it was ultimately part of the competitive nature of tennis.“It does feel a bit weird you can perform well at the tournament and still be taken away the #1 position. It’s okay. It’s sport. I love that. That’s the beauty of sport,” she said.Rybakina had already been closing the gap in the rankings before arriving in New York and then made the decisive push by reaching the final. Her victory over Gauff means she will enter Saturday's showpiece as the newly crowned world No.1.RYBAKINA AWAITS IN THE FINALThe final now gives Sabalenka an immediate chance to measure herself against the player who has replaced her at the top. Rybakina is chasing her first US Open title, while Sabalenka is bidding for a third straight championship in New York.Sabalenka knows the challenge that awaits. Rybakina has powered through the tournament with her serve and aggressive baseline game, while her comeback against Gauff showed she can also withstand pressure when matches become tight.For Sabalenka, however, the bigger picture is clear. The ranking can change again, and she knows exactly what she needs to do to put herself back in contention.“Everyone chasing everyone,” she said. “It’s all about little things you improve and get better at.”On Saturday, the chase for the US Open trophy will bring the new world No.1 and her predecessor together on the biggest stage.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 11, 2026 11:31 IST