WTA World No. 1 Elena Rybakina lost in her first match after formally taking the rating from Aryna Sabalenka. She lost in the Round of 64 at the China Open to World No. 118 Alina Charaeva. She is the first World No. 1 to lose her first match as World No. 1 since Naomi Osaka in 2019.
Since the loss, the web has taken pictures at Rybakina. Former tennis participant Rennae Stubbs made a remark that nearly sounded like she was gloating.
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While it is not best, it is not the finish of the world for Rybakina who has achieved profession best accomplishments in 2026.
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What Stubbs and others posted about Rybakina
Jan 28, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in motion against Iga Swiatek of Poland in the quarterfinals of the girls’s singles at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Stubbs wrote: “Huge upset in Beijing. Rybakina goes down to Armenian Alina Charaeva! First match since winning the US Open and being #1. It’s not easy at the top.”
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One fan wrote: “Is Rybakina the worst number 1 in history?”
Another said: “This is disgraceful from Rybakina! She played like she didn’t want to be there. I guess she entered for the appearance fee.”
Someone else posted: “With this kinda attitude… Rybakina won’t last long as world no 1.”
MORE: Elena Rybakina wins the 2026 US Open
Upsets occur all the time in tennis
Women’s tennis is extraordinarily aggressive with a depth of expertise that goes beyond the high numerical rankings. Any given day, an upset can occur.
Rybakina is already certified for the year-end WTA Finals. She is the defending champion. Finishing the season as World No. 1 is the aim, and this China Open loss does not jeopardize that with more tennis to be performed before the finish of the season.
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