Aryna Sabalenka is the latest player to reach top spot on the WTA rankings as Iga Swiatek’s reign comes to an end.
It is the second time Sabalenka has risen to the No.1 ranking in her career, having held the spot for eight weeks between September and November last year.
Sabalenka toppled Swiatek by 41 points in the latest rankings published, overturning a 69-point deficit which stood at the beginning of the month.
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Neither player was active in competitions in the past week, however, Swiatek’s absence from the professional in recent months saw her whacked with a penalty.
The Pole received a points penalty for failing to compete in the mandatory six WTA 500 events as she fielded applications to become her new head coach and overcome fatigue.
Aryna Sabalenka shakes hands with Iga Swiatek. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 23-year-old confirmed she would be joining forces with former Naomi Osaka-coach Wim Fissette when she returns to competition.
Swiatek previously led the rankings by more than 4,000 points after winning five titles in the space of six months.
But Sabalenka’s run of success in the second half of the 2024 season shifted her position on the rankings, with wins in Cincinnati and Wuhan pushing her to the top.
“No.1 … let’s see for how long this time,” Sabalenka wrote on X.
Swiatek can compete for her position back atop of the rankings in the WTA Finals next month in Saudi Arabia.
