US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has overtaken Iga Swiatek at the top of the latest WTA rankings, ending the Pole’s 11-month stay at the number one position, Afrosport reports.
The 26-year-old three-time Grand Slam winner reaches the top of the rankings for the second time in her career having previously had an eight-week stint between September and November 2023.
Reclaiming the throne 👑@SabalenkaA overtakes Swiatek and returns to #PIF WTA World No.1! pic.twitter.com/M9zZwRiMDv
— wta (@WTA) October 21, 2024
This comes after Swiatek was handed a points penalty for not complying with the mandatory six WTA 500 events, ensuring she drops into second place. The 23-year-old had previously led the rankings by over 4,000 points after clinching five titles in the first six months of the season.
The Pole, who recently appointed a new coach, only played in two of the required tournaments and has not competed since the US Open in September after pulling out of the WTA Asian tour due to fatigue.
However, Sabalenka, who defended her Australian Open title earlier in the year, has overtaken Swiatek after triumphs at Cincinnati and Wuhan added to her US Open title.
Meanwhile, Swiatek could return to the top spot if she manages to claim the season-ending WTA Finals next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
