“You forgot Elena”: Aryna Sabalenka offers a playful reminder of the one player chasing her No. 1 throne
WTASunday, 16 August 2026 at 21:30
Aryna Sabalenka was quick to remind a journalist that Elena Rybakina belongs in the conversation when discussing the WTA's leading players, immediately correcting an omission during her Cincinnati Open press conference. The exchange came at a particularly interesting moment, with Rybakina rapidly closing the gap on Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings.
The Kazakh has emerged as Sabalenka's biggest threat to the No. 1 position after reaching the Canadian Open final, cutting the gap to just over 350 points. With both players competing in Cincinnati this week before heading to New York, the battle for the top ranking could become one of the major storylines of the final Grand Slam swing of the season.
Sabalenka is defending a quarter-final appearance in Cincinnati before facing a much bigger points defense at the US Open. The Belarusian arrives in New York as the reigning champion and will have 2,000 points to protect, while Rybakina is defending only 230. The pressure on Sabalenka is therefore considerably greater as the two players enter the final stages of the North American hard-court swing.
The exchange came when a journalist referenced several of the WTA's leading players and their recent struggles to win a first Grand Slam title. Swiatek and Coco Gauff were among the names mentioned, but Sabalenka immediately noticed that Rybakina had been left out — a particularly notable omission given how close the Kazakh now is to taking her place at the top of the rankings.
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Sabalenka makes sure Rybakina is not forgotten
The journalist began by telling Sabalenka that “you, Iga, Coco, probably three of the top players on the tour in recent years, all still fighting for that first Grand Slam,” before asking whether that was a reflection of how much more competitive the WTA has become.
Sabalenka's answer was initially light-hearted, but she quickly pointed out the missing name. “You forgot Elena, yeah, but it's okay,” Sabalenka said smilling. “She's kind of like number two right now.”
The comment was clearly made in reference to Rybakina, who has positioned herself directly behind Sabalenka in the rankings after her run in Canada. The Kazakh reached the final of the Canadian Open, significantly reducing the gap to the world No. 1 and giving herself a realistic opportunity to challenge for the top spot during the North American hard-court swing.
Rybakina has already started her Cincinnati campaign with a victory over Taylor Townsend and will face Magdalena Frech in the third round. Sabalenka, meanwhile, begins her tournament against Talia Gibson, who defeated Lilli Tagger in the opening round.
HAHAHA not Sabalenka reminding a journalist they forgot Rybakina in the top players
— Livie 🐯🎾 (@Livieparis2024) August 15, 2026
"You forgot Elena but it's OK, she's kinda like number 2 right now"
LOL and her rolling her eyes lmaoooo pic.twitter.com/9CHtENR6GU
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina — Last 52 weeks (3-3)
| Tournament | Round | Winner | Score |
| Miami 2026 | Semi-final | Aryna Sabalenka | 6-4, 6-3 |
| Indian Wells 2026 | Final | Aryna Sabalenka | 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) |
| Australian Open 2026 | Final | Elena Rybakina | 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 |
| WTA Finals Riyadh 2025 | Final | Elena Rybakina | 6-3, 7-6(0) |
| Wuhan 2025 | Quarter-Finals | Aryna Sabalenka | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Cincinnati 2025 | Quarter-finals | Elena Rybakina | 6-1, 6-4 |
The results in Cincinnati could prove important because both players have ranking points to defend. Sabalenka reached the quarter-finals last year, while Rybakina made the semi-finals. The Belarusian therefore needs to protect more points, while Rybakina has an opportunity to make further gains if she goes deeper than her 2025 result.
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The difference becomes even more pronounced at the US Open. Sabalenka is the defending champion and has 2,000 points to protect in New York. Rybakina, meanwhile, is defending only 230 points, meaning the Kazakh could make a significant move if she produces another deep Grand Slam run while Sabalenka fails to repeat her title-winning campaign.
For now, Sabalenka remains in control of the No. 1 ranking. But her quick correction in Cincinnati underlined just how difficult it is to ignore Rybakina at this stage of the season.
With the gap already down to just over 350 points, “You forgot Elena” may have been a playful response — but Rybakina is increasingly becoming the name Sabalenka has to watch most closely.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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