Swiatek Loses World No. 1 Spot to Rival after 11-month Reign

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There’s a new leader at the top of the WTA rankings as US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has risen to number one to replace Iga Swiatek who spent 11 months at the top until the latest rankings.

While neither tennis star was in action last week, Swiatek drops to second in the new rankings after getting ducked some points for failing to compete in the mandatory six WTA 500 events.

It’s the second time Sabalenka is the women’s top player on the rankings after the Belarusian previously led the WTA Tour for two months between September and November 2023.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka shake hands after their final match. Photo: REUTERS/Susana Vera

2024 has seen Sabalenka enjoy a memorable season having lifted two Slams, with the one at Flushing Meadows coming after she retained the Australian Open earlier in the year.

23-year-old Swiatek, who led the Tour by as much as 4,000 points at some point in the season, has not played since the US Open in September, skipping the tournaments in Asia due to fatigue.

This has seen Sabalenka haul in the points differential and return to the top of the rankings ahead of the season-ending WTA Finals taking place in Saudi Arabia capital, Riyadh, in November.

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