Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, the top two women’s tennis players, have both been penalized by the WTA for failing to meet the requirement of playing enough WTA 500 events during the 2024 season. This has led to a significant shift at the summit of the WTA rankings, with Sabalenka overtaking Swiatek to reclaim the World No. 1 spot. The change comes at a crucial juncture in the season as both players gear up for the WTA Finals, a tournament that will likely determine the year-end No. 1.
Swiatek, the four-time Grand Slam champion from Poland, started last week at the top of the WTA rankings with 9,785 points. Sabalenka, the Belarusian powerhouse, was close behind with 9,716 points. Neither player competed last week, and both had no points to defend from last year’s tournaments, but their rankings changed dramatically due to a WTA rule violation: failing to participate in the mandatory number of WTA 500 events.
### The WTA 500 Rule and Its Consequences
According to the WTA’s regulations, every top player is required to play at least six WTA 500 events during the season. Failing to do so results in a penalty where their lowest-scoring tournament is dropped from their total ranking points. This rule is designed to ensure top players compete regularly throughout the season, increasing the competitiveness and prestige of the WTA 500 events, which rank below the Premier Mandatory and Grand Slam events but still carry significant importance in the tour.
In Swiatek’s case, she participated in only two WTA 500 tournaments this year—the United Cup and the Stuttgart Open. Sabalenka managed to enter four: Brisbane, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Washington D.C. Both fell short of the required six tournaments, meaning they each lost points for one of their lowest-performing events of the season.
For Swiatek, this meant losing 120 points from her fourth-round finish at the Miami Open. Sabalenka, who had fewer low-scoring events to lose, was docked 10 points from her second-round exit in Dubai. While these may seem like minor deductions, the tightly contested battle for the World No. 1 spot made every point crucial.
After the penalty, Swiatek’s ranking points dropped to 9,665, while Sabalenka’s fell to 9,706. The small but significant change allowed Sabalenka to leapfrog Swiatek and reclaim the World No. 1 ranking, a position she last held in November 2023. This marks Sabalenka’s ninth week atop the WTA rankings, a major achievement in what has already been a stellar season for the Belarusian.
### Swiatek’s Record at World No. 1
Swiatek’s demotion from the top of the rankings brings an end to her second stint as World No. 1, which lasted 50 consecutive weeks. During her reign, Swiatek cemented herself as one of the most dominant players in women’s tennis, bringing her total time at No. 1 to 125 weeks. This puts her seventh on the all-time list for the most weeks spent at the top of the WTA rankings, ahead of legends like Justine Henin and Lindsay Davenport. Swiatek’s dominance was underscored by her consistent performances in Grand Slams, Premier Mandatory events, and her undefeated run at the 2023 WTA Finals, where she claimed the title.
However, Swiatek’s quest to finish 2024 as the year-end World No. 1 is now under serious threat, especially with the WTA Finals approaching. The penalties, combined with upcoming points deductions from last year’s tournaments, will make it difficult for her to retain her top spot heading into 2025.
### More Penalties Ahead for Swiatek and Sabalenka
The WTA’s penalties for Swiatek and Sabalenka are not over. Neither player is scheduled to compete again before the WTA Finals, meaning both will face further point deductions next week for failing to meet the WTA 500 requirement. Sabalenka will lose another 65 points for her third-round exit at the Miami Open, bringing her total down to 9,641 points. Swiatek, meanwhile, will forfeit 130 points—either from her Australian Open or Wimbledon performances—dropping her to 9,471 points.
These point deductions will have a direct impact on Swiatek’s chances of reclaiming the No. 1 ranking before the season ends. At the WTA Finals, Swiatek stands to lose a massive 1,500 points as the defending champion, having won the tournament without dropping a match in 2023. In contrast, Sabalenka, who was a semifinalist at last year’s WTA Finals, will drop only 625 points. This points disparity sets the stage for a potentially decisive showdown between the two at the year-end championship, where the year-end No. 1 ranking could be on the line.
### The Battle for Year-End No. 1
As the WTA Finals approaches, the race for the year-end No. 1 ranking is heating up. Sabalenka, now back at the top, has a clear advantage due to her smaller points deductions. Even if Swiatek were to win the WTA Finals again, it might not be enough to reclaim the top spot if Sabalenka performs well. The Belarusian only needs to reach the latter stages of the tournament or win a few key matches to secure her first-ever year-end No. 1 finish.
However, the WTA Finals have often been a place of high drama, with unexpected outcomes and upsets. Swiatek, known for her resilience and mental toughness, could still mount a comeback. If she can channel her best tennis and win the tournament, it would place immense pressure on Sabalenka to hold onto her lead. Moreover, with other rising stars like Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina also competing, the competition for the WTA Finals crown is wide open.
In the end, the WTA’s penalties for Swiatek and Sabalenka have added another layer of intrigue to what has already been an eventful season. The fight for the World No. 1 ranking is far from over, and the WTA Finals will be the ultimate battleground to determine who finishes the year on top. Both players have proven they can thrive under pressure, but only one can emerge as the year-end No. 1. With the stakes higher than ever, tennis fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see how this thrilling rivalry unfolds.