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The battle for the WTA Finals intensifies: Swiatek on the ropes

Fernando Murciego - 9 Oct 2026
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Problems for Iga Swiatek: Only two spots available for the 2026 WTA Finals. Source: Getty

The race for the WTA Finals 2026 is starting to clear up its last uncertainties. The defeat of Iga Swiatek at the WTA 1000 in Beijing has confirmed that six players now have a mathematical ticket to the big tournament which gathers the top eight of the season. While some of the main figures on the circuit can breathe easy, the Polish player will have to continue fighting to secure her presence at the event that concludes the calendar.

The group of qualified players consists of Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Linda Noskova. The inclusion of the Czech player is one of the big news items of this race, guaranteeing her a place among the year’s best and rewarding a season that allows her to step up in the elite of women's tennis.

Six players for two spots

With six tickets already assigned, only two spots remain available to complete the lineup for the WTA Finals. The mathematical race is still open among six candidates: Elina Svitolina, Karolina Muchova, Marta Kostyuk, Iga Swiatek, Iva Jovic, and Elise Mertens. Swiatek's situation is particularly striking. The Polish player, one of the great dominators of the circuit in recent seasons, does not yet have her presence in the tournament guaranteed, but her stumble in Beijing adds pressure to a final stretch where every victory can be decisive for her aspirations.

In contrast, players like Svitolina, Muchova, Kostyuk, Jovic, and Mertens still keep their chances alive to reach one of the most prestigious events on the calendar. The variety of names reflects an open battle where the consistency accumulated throughout the season can make a difference. The WTA Finals are approaching, and with six spots already filled, the margin for error is shrinking. Two tickets, six contenders, and one certainty: the battle to finish the season among the best still has important chapters left to write.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La batalla por las WTA Finals se recrudece: Swiatek, contra las cuerdas