The 2026 tennis season has officially kicked off, and the WTA Rankings are already reflecting significant shifts after the opening week of competition. Amanda Anisimova has made headlines with her remarkable ascent into the Top 3, overtaking Coco Gauff to claim the title of the new American No. 1.
This season began with players receiving a full extra week before the official start date, a contrast to last year when the season commenced on December 30, 2025. Consequently, the rankings this week displayed the impact of lost points from this time last year, with Gauff being one of the players adversely affected by this adjustment.
The elite Top 10 has remained largely stable since the conclusion of the previous season. Aryna Sabalenka retains her commanding position as World No. 1 with 10,490 points, followed by Iga Świątek at 8,178 points. Both players currently appear secure in their standings, with any potential changes likely only occurring after the Australian Open.
Anisimova’s rise marks an exciting moment for American tennis, leading a contingent of four American players in the Top 10. She is followed closely by Coco Gauff, who is ranked fourth with 6,273 points. Other notable American representatives include Jessica Pegula (No. 6 – 5,583) and Madison Keys (No. 7 – 4,335). Elena Rybakina occupies the fifth position with 5,850 points, and the Top 10 is rounded off by Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva, and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
While the top positions saw minimal movement, several players are edging closer to breaking into the Top 10. Linda Nosková and Elina Svitolina each moved up one spot to No. 12 and No. 13, respectively, at the expense of Clara Tauson, who fell to No. 14 after losing her points from the ASB Classic title won the previous year.
However, not all news is favorable. Daria Kasatkina, after a first-round exit in Brisbane, has dropped to World No. 40, marking her lowest ranking since 2021. Additionally, Ons Jabeur has plummeted 20 positions to No. 95 as she remains off the court following her pregnancy announcement. Jabeur’s current rank indicates she may be close to exiting the Top 100 for the first time in eight years.
Katie Boulter also continues her decline, now positioned at No. 112, while newcomer Polina Kudermetova suffered a significant drop, sliding over 60 places to World No. 167, indicating she will need to work hard through Challenger events to recover her ranking.
The WTA Ranking Update as of January 5 showcases a competitive landscape as players vie for positioning ahead of the Australian Open, setting the stage for an exciting season filled with opportunity and challenge. The outcomes from these early tournaments hint at a dynamic year ahead for women’s tennis, filled with rising stars and established contenders alike.