Iga Swiatek’s reign at the pinnacle of women’s tennis continues to extend, as she surpasses Ashleigh Barty to become the seventh-most weeks at No. 1 in WTA rankings history. With 122 weeks at the top, Swiatek has cemented her place among the all-time greats.
Since the inception of the WTA rankings in 1975, only six players have held the No. 1 ranking for more weeks than Swiatek. Steffi Graf leads the pack with an astonishing 377 weeks, followed by Martina Navratilova (332), Serena Williams (319), Chris Evert (260), Martina Hingis (209), and Monica Seles (178).
Swiatek’s dominance has been remarkable, with her current streak of 44 consecutive weeks at No. 1 being the longest since Serena Williams’ 186-week reign from 2013 to 2016. Her consistent performances and Grand Slam victories have solidified her position as the world’s top player.
However, Swiatek’s grip on the No. 1 ranking could face a challenge in the coming months. Her withdrawal from the WTA 1000 event in Beijing due to personal matters has opened the door for World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka to close the gap. Sabalenka can potentially catch up to Swiatek in Beijing and further threaten her position at the WTA Finals, where Swiatek is defending the title.
Despite the potential threat, Swiatek remains the favorite to retain her No. 1 ranking. Her exceptional form and determination will make it difficult for her rivals to dethrone her. As the season progresses, the battle for the top spot promises to be intense and captivating.
