This is how the fight for the number 1 spot in the WTA ranking will be at the 2025 Australian Open

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 7 Jan 2025 | 19.50

Swiatek and Sabalenka will fight for the number 1 spot in Australia. Photo: gettyimages

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Among the many attractions in the 2025 Australian Open, one stands out that may have gone unnoticed by many, but could be the common thread of the women's tournament. Aryna Sabalenka needs to achieve a good result if she wants to remain as the number 1 in the WTA rankings, with two players having mathematical chances of taking it from her, such as Iga Swiatek and Cori Gauff.

Weeks of great spectacle and excitement are on the horizon with the 2025 Australian Open, where a new and thrilling battle for glory among the world's best could unfold. The times of inconsistency among the top players are behind, having entered an era of consistent dominance by the women who are expected to keep at bay the numerous contenders challenging the established power. Depending on the performances of Cori Gauff, but mostly on Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, there could be a change at the top of the WTA rankings.

- Sabalenka has no margin for error defending 2,000 points, and Swiatek could gain a lot

The Belarusian holds a significant lead over her competitors but has no room to earn points having been crowned champion last year in Melbourne. Therefore, she will defend an impressive 2,000 points. Being 1,536 points ahead of Swiatek at the moment, the Pole relies on herself to regain the top spot. Yes, you read that correctly. Iga fell in the third round last year, so she only defends 130 points. If she were to win this edition, she would reach 9,990 points, a number higher than the 9,656 Aryna currently holds.

There are other plausible scenarios for a change in the top spot. One of them is Swiatek reaching the final and losing to someone other than Sabalenka. In short, the Belarusian has little room for error if she encounters the best possible version of Iga, capable of pushing her limits in a tournament where she has not gone beyond the semifinals. The other woman with mathematical chances of reaching number 1 is Cori Gauff, but her chances are very slim, almost utopian.

- These are the scenarios in the battle for the number 1 spot in the WTA rankings

Aryna Sabalenka will be number 1 if...