Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka has officially clinched the WTA Year-End No. 1 ranking for 2024, a major milestone in her career, after Iga Świątek’s shocking round-robin defeat to Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals in Cancun on Tuesday. The result, which secured Sabalenka’s spot atop the rankings, marks the culmination of a breakthrough season for the 26-year-old and establishes her as one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis.
**Sabalenka’s Path to the Top: How She Clinched No. 1**
Sabalenka’s rise to No. 1 was a scenario that became increasingly likely after her strong performances in the first two rounds of the WTA Finals. The 2023 US Open champion had already put herself in a commanding position, and with Świątek’s loss, the Belarusian’s ascension to the top spot was mathematically sealed.
For Świątek to finish 2024 at World No. 1, she needed to win the WTA Finals without losing a match, combined with Sabalenka failing to win another match. While Świątek still has a chance to win the title, her loss to Gauff now means she can no longer catch Sabalenka in the points race, regardless of what happens in the remainder of the tournament.
This marks a monumental achievement for Sabalenka, who ascends to the top of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. It also places her in an exclusive group of players who have reached the coveted No. 1 position. She becomes only the second player born after 1998 to finish the year as World No. 1, following Świątek’s back-to-back No. 1 finishes in 2022 and 2023.
**Sabalenka’s Historic Year: Two Grand Slam Titles and a Stellar Season**
Sabalenka’s remarkable rise to the top of the rankings is the culmination of a career-defining 2024 season. This year, she added two Grand Slam titles to her resume, solidifying her status as one of the most formidable players on tour. Her victory at the Australian Open in January and her triumph at the US Open in September were pivotal moments in her journey to the top. Sabalenka’s aggressive, relentless style of play—combined with a rock-solid mental approach—allowed her to outlast some of the toughest competition in women’s tennis, including World No. 1 Świątek, whom she defeated in the Australian Open semifinals.
Her success wasn’t limited to the majors. Sabalenka’s consistency throughout the season, including strong showings in smaller tournaments and a series of deep runs in WTA events, propelled her to the top of the rankings. Her aggressive, baseline-dominated game, marked by powerful serves and explosive groundstrokes, has made her a fan favorite and a formidable opponent on all surfaces.
Sabalenka’s ability to remain competitive throughout the season, even with the pressure of securing the No. 1 ranking, demonstrated her mental resilience. And now, after only recently overtaking Świątek for the top spot, she’s ended 2024 as the undisputed leader of women’s tennis.
**The Role of Points Penalties: A Controversial Twist**
While Sabalenka’s No. 1 ranking is a significant personal achievement, it’s worth noting that the final rankings were somewhat impacted by a controversial decision regarding points penalties. Both Sabalenka and Świątek were penalized for failing to meet the required tournament quotas during the season. These penalties affected both players’ points totals, leading to some adjustments in their positions, but ultimately, Sabalenka’s consistency in high-level tournaments—coupled with her strong finishes at key events—was enough to secure her place at the top.
This twist in the rankings scenario underscores the complexity of the WTA’s points system and the challenges players face in maintaining peak form while also meeting the tour’s requirements. Nonetheless, Sabalenka’s achievement is a testament to her skill, determination, and ability to deliver under pressure.
**The Elite List of WTA Year-End No. 1s**
Sabalenka’s ascent to No. 1 places her in illustrious company. Since the WTA rankings were first introduced in 1975, the list of players who have finished the year at No. 1 is a who’s who of tennis legends.
Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova lead the list, each with eight and seven year-end No. 1 finishes, respectively. These two players dominated the sport for much of the 1980s and 1990s, with Graf’s reign in particular standing as one of the most dominant in tennis history. Other notable names on the list include Chris Evert and Serena Williams, both of whom finished as No. 1 five times, and more recently, players like Ashleigh Barty, who topped the rankings for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021.
Sabalenka’s achievement also places her among a select few who have reached the No. 1 spot in the modern era. With her victory in 2024, she joins an exclusive club of women who have secured the Year-End No. 1 ranking, including such players as Iga Świątek (2022, 2023), Caroline Wozniacki (2010, 2011), and Simona Halep (2017, 2018).
It’s particularly noteworthy that Sabalenka is the first player from Belarus to finish the year at No. 1, adding an extra layer of significance to her achievement. As the second Belarusian to capture the top spot in the rankings (following Victoria Azarenka’s 2012 No. 1 finish), Sabalenka’s success continues the strong tennis tradition in her home country.
**What’s Next for Sabalenka?**
Sabalenka is not resting on her laurels. She still has a chance to cap off her historic year with another major title at the WTA Finals, where she faces Elena Rybakina next in a highly anticipated match. Despite Rybakina’s elimination from the tournament, their upcoming clash is expected to be a thrilling showdown between two of the most powerful hitters on tour. With her No. 1 ranking now secure, Sabalenka will be looking to cement her legacy further with a win in Cancun.
**The Future of Women’s Tennis**
Sabalenka’s rise to No. 1 signifies the exciting and evolving nature of women’s tennis. Alongside players like Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina, she represents a new generation of athletes who are pushing the sport to new heights. Sabalenka’s success is a reflection of the intense competition on the WTA Tour, where multiple players are capable of dominating on any given day.
For now, though, the spotlight shines firmly on Sabalenka, who has worked tirelessly to achieve her lifelong goal of reaching the top. As she looks ahead to 2025, she will surely be motivated by her historic achievements in 2024 and eager to continue her reign as one of the best in the world.
**WTA Year-End No. 1s (since 1975)**
– **8 times**: Steffi Graf [1987-1990, 1993-1996]
– **7 times**: Martina Navratilova [1978-1979, 1982-1986]
– **5 times**: Chris Evert [1975-1977, 1980-1981]
– **5 times**: Serena Williams [2002, 2009, 2013-2015]
– **4 times**: Lindsay Davenport [1998, 2001, 2004-2005]
– **3 times**: Monica Seles [1991-1992, 1995]
– **3 times**: Martina Hingis [1997, 1999-2000]
– **3 times**: Justine Henin [2003, 2006-2007]
– **3 times**: Ashleigh Barty [2019-2021]
– **2 times**: Caroline Wozniacki [2010-2011]
– **2 times**: Simona Halep [2017-2018]
– **2 times**: Iga Świątek [2022-2023]
– **1 time**: Jelena Jankovic [2008]
– **1 time**: Victoria Azarenka [2012]
– **1 time**: Angelique Kerber [2016]
– **1 time**: Aryna Sabalenka [2024]