Bulat Utemuratov, the man behind the project to bring Elena Rybakina to Kazakhstan: “Her status as world number one confirms the wisdom of our investments and efforts.”
Born in Moscow but having switched her citizenship to Kazakhstani in 2018, Elena Rybakina will forever write her name into the history of her new homeland by becoming the first-ever world number one from this Central Asian country. This marks the realization of a project launched by Federation President Bulat Utemuratov, who believes this symbolic achievement will inspire future generations.
Louis Boulet
Published on September 10, 2026, at 18:06
The top spot was within reach, and now it is official: thanks to her US Open quarterfinal victory over Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday (3-6, 6-1, 6-4), Elena Rybakina has secured her place as the next world number one on Monday. Since the WTA rankings were established in November 1975, twenty-nine queens of the tour have held the throne, and for the first time, a representative of Kazakhstan will add her name to this prestigious list.
Born in Moscow, Rybakina switched to fly the flag of this Central Asian country in 2018 as part of a sporting and financial project launched by Bulat Utemuratov, the influential president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. He invested heavily in young Russian players (such as Rybakina, Alexander Bublik and many others) to put Kazakhstan on the global tennis map. That gamble paid off, and Utemuratov hopes this success will only continue to grow.
“How did you experience the US Open quarterfinal match that Elena Rybakina won, securing her status as world number one?
— It was an exceptional victory for Elena and a historic day for Kazakhstani tennis. I can only thank her once again for giving it her all and displaying a world-class level of play on one of the sport’s biggest stages. By reaching the US Open semifinals again and officially clinching the top spot in the world rankings, she has clearly demonstrated her progress and consistently high quality of play. She arrived in New York fresh off a recent injury, yet her resilience and mental strength were remarkable. She continues to perfectly embody the successful development of tennis in our country, and her ascent to the very pinnacle of world tennis will deeply inspire the young generation of Kazakhstani tennis players whom we will continue to support with every means at our disposal.
“The Federation was ready to provide her with all the necessary support she needed, and Elena, in turn, made rapid progress, delivering numerous historic victories for Kazakhstan.”
Bulat Utemuratov on Elena Rybakina’s change of citizenship:
Her rise to the top of the world rankings represents a historic achievement for Kazakhstani tennis…
It is a moment of immense pride and joy for all of us at the Federation, as well as for the entire country. Seeing an athlete representing Kazakhstan reach the pinnacle of world tennis is the realization of a dream we have long cherished. It validates our strategic investments and the tireless efforts we have dedicated to developing the sport over the years. Elena perfectly embodies the successful growth of tennis in our country, and we are incredibly happy for her and for what this means for our community.
You decided to support Rybakina when she was 19, long before she was considered a potential world number one. How did her journey unfold, and how did the Federation support her?
— When Elena first approached us, we immediately recognized her tremendous talent and potential. Even then, we knew that, with the right guidance, she could reach the pinnacle of the sport. However, the most important factor in our decision was the combination of her excellent discipline and iron determination. Her exceptional personal qualities allowed us to build a relationship based on deep trust and a genuine bond. The Federation was ready to provide all the necessary support, and Elena, in turn, progressed rapidly, delivering numerous historic victories for Kazakhstan. It has been an amazing journey built on mutual trust.
What impresses you most about her progress?
— Beyond her obvious physical attributes, I am incredibly proud of her character and mental strength. Reaching the world number one spot requires exceptional resilience. Despite all her success, Elena has remained humble, focused and true to her values. I am proud of the elegance with which she represents Kazakhstan on the global stage.
What will this world number one ranking mean for the Federation and the continued growth of tennis in Kazakhstan?
— This historic achievement is incredibly important to us, as it is the result of years of hard work by the entire Federation, and I am grateful to everyone involved. However, its greatest value lies in the impact it will have on the future. Elena’s example will serve as a powerful source of motivation and confidence for thousands of children and their parents across Kazakhstan. Seeing one of our own reach the absolute top of the sport proves that even the most ambitious goals are attainable. This inspiration is invaluable, and it will undoubtedly help us nurture new generations of tennis players and future champions.
Source: L’equipe
