Inadvertently, a brief blip has allowed Swiatek to achieve her latest impressive ranking records.
Currently, the world No 1 woman player has held the top spot for 125 weeks. More importantly, she has achieved a 50-week consecutive reign at the top for the second time. This makes Swiatek the seventh player in WTA rankings history to have multiple 50-week stints at No. 1, joining the ranks of Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, and Serena Williams.
Swiatek’s runs as the WTA’s best include a first stint of 75 weeks between April 2024 and September 2023, followed by her current stretch from November 2023 to October the following year.
Sabalenka ensures tightest possible race with Swiatek for year-end No 1
However, Sabalenka poses a serious threat to Swiatek’s No 1 crown. Initially, Swiatek had a substantial lead over Sabalenka, but with the former missing key events, the gap has narrowed significantly. Sabalenka’s strong performance has put her right on Swiatek’s heels as the regular season heads towards a rapid conclusion.
The race for the No 1 ranking will go all the way to the WTA Finals in Riyadh, with Sabalenka holding the momentum and advantage heading into the season’s showpiece event.
Heading into Riyadh, the pressure is on Swiatek to defend her title, while Sabalenka aims to secure the top spot. The outcome remains uncertain as Sabalenka vies to achieve her long-coveted career goal.
Swiatek’s recent dominance has solidified her legacy in women’s tennis, but the arrival of Sabalenka signals a more competitive future in the sport.
Although Swiatek remains a top player, Sabalenka’s peak performance indicates a potential shift in dominance in women’s tennis.
