Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Elena Rybakina may be within touching distance of the World No.1 ranking, but the Kazakh is refusing to let the prospect distract her from her Wimbledon campaign.
The reigning Australian Open champion booked her place in the third round of Wimbledon 2026 with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over American Caty McNally on Centre Court. The 2022 Wimbledon champion needed just over an hour to complete the win, underlining why she remains one of the favourites for the title.
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Rybakina entered the grass-court Grand Slam as the closest challenger to current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, trailing the Belarusian by 947 ranking points. With Sabalenka defending significantly more points from last year’s semifinal run and Rybakina having only third-round points to defend, the Kazakh has a realistic chance of climbing to the top of the WTA rankings if results go her way over the next week.
‘I’m trying not to think about it’
Despite the growing excitement surrounding the rankings race, Rybakina insisted she is focused solely on the task in front of her rather than the possibility of becoming World No. 1 for the first time.
Asked whether winning Wimbledon could propel her to the summit of the rankings, she replied: “Honestly, I’m trying not to think about it. I need to focus one match at a time. All the opponents are tough. You never know how you wake up. You sometimes need to battle certain things.”
The 27-year-old stressed that her priority is continuing to improve rather than obsessing over rankings.
“I’m just trying to improve. I’m glad it got better. I hope to continue this way. Hopefully it happens soon. If not, I’ll keep working,” she added.
Rybakina’s measured response reflects the mindset that has underpinned one of the best seasons of her career. After defeating Sabalenka to win the Australian Open in January, she has established herself as one of the most consistent players on tour and is again thriving on grass, the surface on which she captured her maiden Grand Slam title in 2022.
Her route to the top ranking, however, is not entirely in her hands. Rybakina must continue making a deep run at Wimbledon while hoping Sabalenka drops crucial ranking points.
If the results fall in her favour, the Kazakh could leave the All England Club not only with a second Wimbledon crown but also as the first player from Kazakhstan to become World No. 1.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
