Elena Rybakina can become World No. 1 for the first time at Wimbledon. The reigning Australian Open champion arrives at the All England Club as a favorite on her best surface.
What Rybakina needs to become World No. 1
Elena Rybakina must reach at least the quarterfinals to have any chance of overtaking Aryna Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka enters Wimbledon as World No. 1 with 9,090 ranking points, a 947-point advantage over Rybakina's 8,143.
The ranking gap
The gap is small enough that a deep run from Rybakina could be enough to change the order at the top.
The race will largely depend on how far both players advance over the next two weeks.
Rybakina's path to No. 1
If Sabalenka loses before the Round of 16, a Rybakina quarterfinal run would keep her in contention for No. 1.
If Sabalenka reaches the Round of 16 or quarterfinals, Rybakina would need to reach at least the semifinals.
A potential winner-take-all final
If Sabalenka and Rybakina meet in the Wimbledon final, the winner would leave London as World No. 1.
The possibility of a winner-take-all championship match would be a fitting conclusion to one of the most compelling rivalries in the women's game.
Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka have established themselves as two of the sport's premier power players, combining for major titles and lengthy stays near the top of the rankings.
The Championships begin Monday, June 29.
Should Sabalenka extend her run atop the rankings through the grass-court swing, she will climb to 91 consecutive weeks, tying her with Monica Seles for seventh all time.