By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 11, 2025
Three WTA players are in the mix for world No. 1. Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff all have a shot to finish the Australian Open at the top of the WTA rankings, and here are the scenarios, according to the WTA:
Sabalenka remains at number 1:
Sabalenka will need to reach the QF to have a chance of retaining the No.1 ranking, although that could change as Swiatek progresses through the tournament.
Swiatek reaches #1 if…
If Swiatek makes it to the third round, then Sabalenka will have to make it to SF. If Swiatek makes it to SF then Sabalenka will have to make it to the finals.
If No. 1 and No. 2 meet in the final, then the winner goes to No. 1…
If Swiatek and Sabalenka meet in the final, then the winner would leave Australia with the PIF WTA world No.1 ranking, after she reached the third round last year in Melbourne, is defending just 130 points at the Australian Open, compared to Sabalenka. 2000 championship points. She could secure the No. 1 seed in the early stages of the tournament with early exits from Gauff and Sabalenka.
Gauff’s long shot:
The only way Gauff could move to #1 would be by winning the title and Sabalenka losing in the QF or earlier and Swiatek not making it past the third round.
