WTA Race to No.1 Intensify! Who Will be at the Top in the end 2026?

Elena Rybakina is the front runner for Year End No.1, with Sabalenka just over 1000 points behind her. It's between the two, but don't sleep on Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula: they're close and will take the opportunity if it shows up.

Elena Rybakina has beaten Aryna Sabalenka in both the US Open and the Australian Open in tough three sets, leaving Sabalenka without a major title for the first time since 2022. She's certainly the best player in the world right now, at least she has the highset peak level an has been able to find it when it mattered most.

But while Rybakina is a good 1000 points ahead of Sabalenka in the WTA Race, a lot still needs to happen before we call it a season. Two WTA 1000 events are happening in China, a number of 500 events still need to take place, and, of course, the WTA Finals, which can award a maximum of 1500 points to the winner if undefeated.

And Sabalenka herself, who will be looking to end the year on a high note after a disappointing season for her standards, should be looking in the rear mirror: the Top 5 is very strong and not far behind, as Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva are growing in their games and belief that they deserve to be at the top of the game.

As for Iga Swiatek, it doesn't look very good right now, so maybe her sight should be set on just the next tournament ahead, and to having a better 2027 - 2026 was pretty much a year to forget despite a strong showing in the North American swing post Wimbledon.