Breaking: Sabelanka’s Throne Under Threat: Iga Swiatek Seeks to…
Last year, Sabalenka was in pole position heading into the year-end championships in Cancun, only for a flawless Swiatek to storm to the title and return to the very top.
Twelve months on, Sabalenka is again the world No 1 but holds a more emphatic lead at the top, and is a significant favourite to head into 2025 as the top-ranked player.
However, it is still possible for Swiatek to again deny her chief rival – even if it might prove tricky.
We take you through what both women need to finish the year atop the rankings.
As it stands
With last year’s Finals points coming off the world rankings on Monday – coupled with points deductions for both women – there is currently a significant gap between the two.
Sabalenka sits well out in front on 9,016 points, while Swiatek has fallen to 7,910 points.
However, with no points to now officially defend in Riyadh, both women approach this event effectively with a clean slate.
What ranking points are up for grabs?
The WTA Finals work a little differently than pretty much any other event on the WTA Finals, with the round robin system ensuring every player plays at least three matches – assuming they don’t withdraw.
Each round robin match is worth 200 ranking points, meaning that you would earn 600 ranking points if you won all three of your matches.
Should you then win your semi-final and reach the final, you would earn an extra 400 ranking points, which are then added to your group stage total.
The winner of the tournament then receives an extra 500 ranking points, meaning that a player who wins all their group stage matches and then wins the title would earn 1,500 ranking points.
A player with a 2-1 group stage record would earn 1,300 ranking points if they won the event, while a player with a 1-2 record would earn 1,100 points.
