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Who is the world No.1 in women's tennis? Updated WTA rankings and explainer | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 1st 2025 at 21:38 GMT by Sporting News
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How the WTA Ranking System Works – A Quick Guide to Tennis’s “Points” Economy

Every week, tennis fans around the world check a single, simple number that tells them exactly where a player sits in the global hierarchy: the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) ranking. Yet for many, the mechanics behind that number remain an opaque puzzle. Below is a concise explanation of how the WTA calculates rankings, why the title of “world No. 1” can shift as often as a single tournament, and what the current landscape looks like after the 2024 season.

1. The Basics of a “Rolling” Ranking

Unlike a yearly league table that sums up all past performance, the WTA uses a 52‑week rolling system. This means that at any given time, a player’s ranking points reflect her performance over the last 52 weeks (roughly one year). Points earned in tournaments that are now more than 52 weeks old drop off automatically, while fresh results can push a player higher or lower.

Why it matters: This keeps the rankings dynamic and rewards players who consistently perform well, rather than those who had a single outstanding season and then plateau.

2. The “Points” Pyramid – How Tournaments Contribute

Not all tournaments are equal. The WTA has a structured hierarchy that dictates how many points a player can earn:

Key takeaways:

• Grand Slams are the pinnacle; winning one gives a massive 2,000 points.
• WTA 1000 events offer nearly half that, but there are often more of them (10–12 per year) than Grand Slams (only four).
• Even a semifinal appearance in a Grand Slam can outweigh an entire title at a lower‑tier tournament.

Players are allowed to count only their best 16 results over the past 52 weeks. This “best‑16” rule gives the top players a cushion: they can skip some tournaments or suffer an injury without seeing their ranking drop dramatically, provided they have enough high‑point results.

3. How Points Get Dropped and Replaced

When a player’s 52‑week window moves forward, the points from the oldest tournament drop off, and new points from the latest result replace them. Because of the “best‑16” rule, the drop is not always straightforward. If the old tournament was a biggest result (e.g., a Grand Slam title), the player’s ranking may take a significant hit. Conversely, if the old event was a low‑point tournament, the ranking may barely change.

Example:
Iga Świątek’s ascent to world No. 1 last year was propelled by her 2,000 points from the French Open. Those points stayed on her record for 52 weeks. As soon as the next year’s French Open concluded and the 2023 points were removed, her ranking could fall unless she earned enough new points elsewhere.

4. Current Leaders and the Road to No. 1

As of the latest update (early 2025), the top of the WTA ladder features:

While Świątek is currently at the top, the “best‑16” rule keeps the race hot. A single major loss or a major injury can drop a player 20‑30 spots, but strong performances in the other high‑point tournaments can mitigate the damage.

5. How Rankings Influence the Tour

Seedings and Draws
The WTA ranking is the primary criterion for seedings in every tournament. The top eight players receive seeds in Grand Slams, ensuring they do not meet until the later rounds. This structure rewards consistency and protects high‑ranked players from early, potentially lopsided matches.

Entry into Tournaments
Players outside the top 100 must navigate qualifiers or rely on wild cards to enter major events. Rankings therefore directly influence a player’s calendar, as high‑ranking players can automatically enter every WTA 1000 and WTA 500 draw.

Financial and Sponsorship Impact
A top‑10 ranking translates to higher endorsement deals, larger prize money, and increased visibility in media coverage. The difference between a world No. 1 and world No. 20 can be significant both on and off the court.

6. The “Fairness” Debate: Points vs. Other Systems

Some critics argue that the WTA’s 52‑week rolling system can be harsh on younger or returning players. A sudden injury that forces a player out for six months may see their ranking plummet, making it harder to get direct entry back into tournaments. The “best‑16” rule mitigates this somewhat, but the system still rewards those who consistently play—and win—throughout the year.

Other proposals, like “climbers” or “sustainable points” systems, have been floated, but the WTA’s current structure remains the most straightforward and widely accepted in the sport.

7. How to Stay Informed

The WTA website and the official WTA Rankings app provide live updates on points, upcoming tournaments, and detailed player profiles. Additionally, reputable tennis outlets—such as The New York Times, ESPN, and BBC Sport—offer weekly analysis that puts the numbers into context.

Bottom Line

The WTA ranking is more than a number; it’s a rolling ledger of performance, a barometer of player health, and a determinant of a player’s career trajectory. Understanding the points pyramid, the 52‑week cycle, and the “best‑16” rule gives fans a clearer picture of why a player might suddenly drop out of the top 10—or why a newcomer could catapult into the top 20 after a single tournament win. As the season progresses, keep an eye on those 16 key results—they’re the ones that will decide who will be world No. 1 next.