When it comes to women’s sport, the numbers in the WTA tennis rankings are just the tip of the iceberg, hiding behind stories of perseverance, triumph and talent. Today’s review is not just a list of names, but a reflection of the tremendous effort and tremendous work that female athletes put in. We will introduce you to fifteen tennis players who have turned themselves into symbols of strength and inspiration, and continue to rewrite the history of world tennis.
1. Arina Sobolenko: climbing to the top
Arina Sobolenko is the world number one. The Belarusian tennis player attracts attention with her powerful serve and aggressive style of play. In 2023, she won the title at the Australian Open, which strengthened her position on the world stage. Arina demonstrates not only physical strength, but also mental toughness, which helps her to stay on top:
- Grand Slam tournament victories: Australian Open (2023).
- Number of WTA titles: 13.
- Ranking at the end of last year: 4.
2. Iga Swiatek: a new age legend
Iga Swiatek is a name that is associated with amazing consistency and confidence on the court. She won at Roland Garros in 2020 and 2022, which showed her ability to handle pressure. Iga has managed to stay at the top of the WTA rankings so far thanks to a streak of 37 consecutive wins in 2022.
Swiatek not only adapts to different surfaces, but also shows a maturity that surprises women’s tennis fans around the world.
3. Elena Rybakina: strength and stability
Elena Rybakina is the 2022 Wimbledon champion whose incredible serve and consistent play make her a formidable opponent at any tournament. Her forehand is one of the most powerful on the tour, making her one of the best in women’s tennis:
- Wimbledon win: 2022.
- Average serve speed: 190 kilometres per hour.
- Finals of major tournaments: 5.
The ranking of tennis players cannot do without mentioning Rybakina, whose ability to stand up to the strongest opponents helps her to occupy a strong position in the top 3.
4. Jessica Pegula: versatility
Jessica Pegula is a versatile athlete who consistently demonstrates a high level of play. Her game is characterised by her excellent defence and her ability to find her opponents’ weaknesses. She has made significant strides in WTA tournaments and has stayed in the top 5 through hard work and perseverance:
- Number of wins over top-10 players: 12.
- Personal achievements at the US Open: quarter-finals (2021, 2022).
- Career prize money: more than $7 million.
Jessica is one of the best tennis players in the world who knows how to keep the bar high.
5. Carolina Garcia: steely confidence
Carolina Garcia has an aggressive style and a unique ability to play under pressure. Her victory at the 2022 Finals was a real triumph and proved her ability to stay focused in the most crucial matches. The Tennis Player Rankings show how important it is to stay confident in your abilities. Caroline is one of those who does it best.
6. Maria Saccari: the epitome of perseverance
Maria Sakkari is known for her incredible fitness and endurance. She is one of the few players who is consistently ranked among the top WTA players. Her participation in the semi-finals of Roland Garros and US Open shows her ability to withstand the toughest competition:
- Grand Slam tournament semi-finals: 2 (Roland Garros and US Open).
- Number of WTA titles: 1.
- Physical stamina: participation in 92% of matches of the season without withdrawals.
7. Coco Gauff: youth and courage
Coco Gauff is a young talent who has already broken into the elite of world tennis. She is known for her courage on the court and her outstanding skills, which she has demonstrated from a young age. Coco is the youngest winner of the Linz tournament:
- Linz tournament win: 2019 (youngest ever winner).
- Best result at Grand Slam: US Open 2022 final.
- Best serve: speed up to 195 kilometres per hour.
The changes in the WTA rankings give a glimpse of how confident Coco Gauff is on her way to the top.
8. Daria Kasatkina: talent and strategy
Daria Kasatkina is one of the most technical Russian tennis players in the WTA rankings. Her game is characterised by her tactical skill and ability to find unique solutions in difficult situations. Daria is a true strategist who can turn a match in her favour:
- Number of WTA titles: 6.
- Best result at Grand Slam: Roland Garros 2022 semi-final.
- Season record for return of serve: 56 per cent.
9. Belinda Bencic: Olympic champion
Belinda Bencic is the gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympics. She is known for her ability to balance between attack and defence, which makes her game very varied and unpredictable:
- Olympic victory: Tokyo 2021 (gold).
- Number of WTA titles: 8.
- Best ranking: 4th in 2020.
10. Ons Jabeur: an example for the whole Arab world
Ons Jabeur is the first Arab tennis player in the WTA rankings to reach such heights. Her game is incredibly creative and she is bold in her use of unconventional moves, making her one of the most interesting tennis players to watch:
- Grand Slam tournament finals: 2 (Wimbledon 2022, US Open 2022).
- First Arab female tennis player in the top-10: 2021.
- Number of WTA titles: 3.
11. Veronika Kudermetova: strong serve and concentration
Veronika Kudermetova is known for her powerful serve and her ability to stay focused throughout a match. Her strong performances at tournaments keep her among the best tennis players in the world:
- Best result at Grand Slam tournaments: quarter-final at Roland Garros 2022.
- Number of WTA titles: 2.
- Maximum serve speed: 190 kilometres per hour.
The tennis rankings demonstrate that Veronica is an important part of modern women’s tennis.
12. Paula Badosa: strength and determination
Paula Badosa is one of the most tenacious tennis players today. Her victory at the Indian Wells tournament was a milestone in her career. Paula is characterised by high physical fitness which helps her to perform well:
- Winning a tournament at Indian Wells: 2021.
- Number of weeks in the top-10: 30.
- Physical fitness: the best percentage of defence of serve on the WTA.
Knowing how the WTA rankings are calculated shows how important physical fitness is for tennis players like Paula.
13. Petra Kvitova: experience and perseverance
Petra Kvitova is a two-time Wimbledon champion known for her attacking style and experience. She continues to delight fans with her performances and is firmly in the top 15 of the world rankings:
- Wimbledon victories: 2011, 2014.
- Number of WTA titles: 29.
- Best result at the Olympics: bronze in Rio 2016.
14. Lyudmila Samsonova: youth and speed
Ludmila Samsonova is one of the most promising tennis players whose game is characterised by aggression and speed. She is ranked among the top WTA players thanks to her impressive performances at major tournaments:
- WTA tournament victories: 4.
- Serving speed record: 198 kilometres per hour.
- Best result at Grand Slam: Wimbledon 2021 quarter-final.
15. Elise Mertens: stability and skill
Elise Mertens rounds out the top 15 tennis players in the world. Her stability and ability to play long matches make her a valuable figure in women’s tennis. Elise has been successful not only in singles but also in doubles:
- Best result at Grand Slam tournaments: semi-final of the Australian Open 2018.
- Number of WTA titles: 7.
- Doubles partnership: wins at three Grand Slam tournaments.
Conclusion
The WTA tennis rankings today are living proof of how diverse and interesting women’s tennis can be. Each of these athletes is a unique individual, each of them has travelled her own path to success, overcoming obstacles and proving that the top of the rankings belongs to the strongest and most persistent. Stay tuned to the rankings to see how new talent and current leaders continue to write tennis history.