US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has reclaimed the top spot in the latest WTA rankings, ending Iga Swiatek’s 11-month reign at number one.
Belarusian Sabalenka, who also defended her Australian Open title in January, now leads the rankings for the second time after holding the position for eight weeks between September and November 2023.
Although neither player competed last week, Poland’s Swiatek dropped to second due to a points penalty for not participating in the required six WTA 500 events.
The 23-year-old, who recently appointed a new coach, has only played in two of those tournaments and has not competed since the US Open in September, opting to skip the tour’s Asian swing due to fatigue.
At one point, Swiatek had a lead of more than 4,000 points, having won five titles in the first half of the season.
However, 26-year-old Sabalenka closed the gap in the latter part of the year, claiming titles in Cincinnati and Wuhan, along with her US Open victory.
Swiatek’s next opportunity to reclaim the number one ranking will be at the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next month.