Aryna Sabalenka has reclaimed the WTA World No.1 singles ranking, overtaking Iga Swiatek in the top spot.

This will be Sabalenka’s second stint in the top ranking position and she will add to her 8-week total, having first captured the No.1 singles ranking in September 2023.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal last two months on the WTA Tour, posting a 20-1 record since mid-August as she lifted WTA 1000 titles at the Cincinnati Open and the Wuhan Open, won her third Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open and enjoyed a semifinal run at the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing.

Neither Sabalenka or Swiatek was in action last week, but with continuing year-end adjustments for falling short of playing in enough WTA 500 events, Sabalenka dropped fewer points than Swiatek. Sabalenka holds a 9,706-9,665 lead — a narrow 41-point margin.

WTA rules stipulate that players must play at least six WTA 500 each year before they start losing points.

Swiatek played in just two such events, while Sabalenka played in four.

Over the next two weeks, Sabalenka’s lead is likely to increase, giving her a significant edge toward retaining that No.1 ranking at the WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF. A year ago, Swiatek entered the year-end championship at No.2, won all five of her matches — including a semifinal victory over Sabalenka — to regain the top spot.

Heading into the Cincinnati Open, Sabalenka was actually ranked No.3 behind Coco Gauff, and Swiatek was up 3,289 points. But even though Swiatek reached the semifinals, Sabalenka won the title and collected the 1,000 points that went with it. That cut Swiatek’s lead as they lined up for the U.S. Open. Again, Swiatek produced a good result, reaching the quarterfinals, but Sabalenka again won the title. That sliced the margin to 2,169 points.