WTA Rankings Shake-Up: Sabalenka Tops, Rybakina Climbs, Gauff Drops
The Australian Open saw significant changes in the WTA Rankings following the women’s singles final. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina faced off for the title, marking their 15th career meeting. This event was notable not only for the championship match but also for the subsequent impact on player rankings.
WTA Rankings Overview
As of January 29, 2026, the top contenders in the live WTA Rankings are:
- 1) Aryna Sabalenka – 10,990 points
- 2) Iga Swiatek – 7,978 points
- 3) Elena Rybakina – 6,910 points (+2 spots)
- 4) Amanda Anisimova – 6,680 points
- 5) Coco Gauff – 6,423 points (-2 spots)
- 6) Jessica Pegula – 6,103 points
- 7) Mirra Andreeva – 4,731 points
- 8) Jasmine Paolini – 4,267 points
- 9) Belinda Bencic – 3,342 points (+1 spot)
- 10) Elina Svitolina – 3,205 points (+2 spots)
Key Rankings Changes
Sabalenka remained firmly at the top of the rankings, regardless of the final outcome, while Rybakina’s performance propelled her to a career-high world No 3 position. She will accumulate 7,610 points if she wins the title. Iga Swiatek slipped slightly in points due to her quarter-final exit, yet retains her second position.
Rising Stars
Several players have showcased impressive movements in the rankings:
- Victoria Mboko – Rising to world No 13
- Naomi Osaka – Climbing to world No 14
- Iva Jovic – Ascending to world No 20
Other notable rankings changes include Wang Xinyu, who rose 13 spots to No 33, and Peyton Stearns, who improved by 18 places to reach No 50. Zeynep Somnez made a remarkable leap of 33 places to No 79.
Declining Rankings
Defending champion Madison Keys is facing a downturn, projected to drop to world No 15 after losing significant points from her title defense. Gauff also dropped to No 5 as Rybakina and Anisimova performed well. Clara Tauson is set to fall to No 16, while Paula Badosa is at risk of falling drastically, potentially to No 65.
These shifts in the WTA Rankings reflect the competitive nature of women’s tennis and the impact of performances in major tournaments. The Australian Open not only crowned a champion but also reshaped the landscape of the WTA Rankings.
