Keys to the race for the number 1 spot in the WTA rankings by the end of the year: Rybakina has many options
We analyze what the race will be like to finish 2026 at the top of the WTA ranking between Rybakina and Sabalenka, without ruling out Pegula, Gauff, and Andreeva.
What happened at the US Open 2026 has immediate and exciting consequences in the race to end the season as world number 1. The margins in the WTA ranking have tightened, and while it is true that Elena Rybakina has a substantial lead, she cannot afford to relax if she wants to finish the year on top.
It is necessary to note that the season on the women's circuit will end on November 15, with the WTA Finals in Indian Wells promising intense excitement, given the equality and spectacular competitive level among the best players in the world. Before that event, there are two WTA 1000 tournaments remaining, in Beijing and Wuhan, both taking place from September 30 to October 18, as well as three ATP 500 tournaments in Guadalajara, Ningbo, and Tokyo.
Rybakina has over 1,000 points on Sabalenka, with 2 WTA 1000 and the WTA Finals left to play
Taking all this into account, it is worth remembering that the WTA Race will be the most useful ranking for analyzing this battle for number 1 at the end of the year, as it is unnecessary to refer to the points each player is defending, being this ranking the one measuring the points won in the current season.
After her success in Flushing Meadows, Elena Rybakina has a substantial lead over Aryna Sabalenka: a total of 1,007 points separate the Kazakh from the Belarusian, who will need to recover quickly from the blow suffered by her blank season in terms of Grand Slam titles if she wants to mask it with the number 1 at the end of the season.
Up to 5 players could reach the WTA Finals with mathematical chances of ending the year as world number 1
Less than 1,900 points behind are Jessica, Pegula, Cori Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva. The three are aware that they have a tough road ahead to contend for the WTA ranking at the end of the year, as they not only need to finish the season brilliantly but also rely on both Rybakina and Sabalenka feeling the physical and emotional weariness from the preceding months and performing below their level.
It could happen that at the WTA Finals 2026, there are several players with mathematical chances of closing the season as number 1, which would boost media interest and expectations around an event taking place from November 8 to 15.
It is not easy to think that Elena Rybakina could experience a hangover from her success in New York by losing in the early rounds of important tournaments, but it is also possible that, due to the discomfort with which she arrived at the last Grand Slam of the year and the fatigue incurred, she decides to skip some of the remaining WTA 1000 tournaments.
In that case, a window of opportunity would open for the competitors trailing behind the Kazakh, waiting for their chance to make a significant impact. In summary, two exciting months are ahead in the WTA circuit, with a great battle to resolve and many incentives to enjoy.
This is how the WTA Race looks to end the year as number 1
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Claves de la carrera por el número 1 del ranking WTA a final de año: Rybakina, con muchas opciones