Iga Swiatek Eyes Return to World No. 1 as She Nears Sabalenka in WTA Rankings

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek is closing the gap on Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA rankings, fueled by a trajectory that former world No. 1 Ash Barty publicly endorsed when she retired in 2022.

Barty, who abruptly ended her tennis career at the peak of her powers after winning the 2022 Australian Open, revealed she “hoped” Swiatek would ascend to the top ranking. “Yeah, I’m not sure of what the possibilities are…I know that if it is Iga [Swiatek], there is no better person,” Barty said during her retirement press conference. She praised Swiatek’s “fresh, fearless energy” and her dedication to the sport, adding, “I think she thoroughly deserves it.” Barty’s wish came true on April 4, 2022, and Swiatek subsequently dominated the rankings for a significant period.

However, Swiatek has faced challenges maintaining her hold on the No. 1 spot in 2025. Currently, she trails Sabalenka by 1,552 points in the Live WTA Rankings – Sabalenka with 10,225 points and Swiatek with 8,673. While a return to No. 1 before the end of the year appears difficult, strong performances in upcoming tournaments like Wuhan and the WTA Finals could significantly narrow the gap. The competition at the top of women’s tennis is fierce, and a shift in power is always possible. Swiatek’s success is particularly notable considering Barty’s early retirement created a vacuum at the top of the sport.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Australian Open presents a key opportunity for Swiatek to reclaim the No. 1 ranking and potentially surpass Barty’s 121 weeks at the top. Chris Evert predicted in 2022 that Swiatek would eventually overtake Barty regardless of her retirement, stating, “She wants it so bad…that mental strength of hers is really propelling her to the top.” You can find more information about the current WTA rankings on the official WTA website.

WTA officials stated they anticipate a continued battle for the No. 1 ranking between Swiatek and Sabalenka in the coming months.