WTA Live Rankings: Rybakina Surges Following Australian Open Triumph
London, 6 February 2026 – The landscape of women’s professional tennis has undergone a significant shift this week following the conclusion of the Australian Open and the commencement of the Abu Dhabi Open. While Aryna Sabalenka maintains her position at the summit of the WTA rankings, the focus remains on Elena Rybakina, whose Grand Slam victory in Melbourne has propelled her back into the world’s top three and within striking distance of the top spot.
Sabalenka Holds Top Spot Amidst Rybakina’s Rise
Despite a loss in the Australian Open final, Aryna Sabalenka remains the World No. 1. However, her lead is under pressure following her withdrawal from the upcoming Doha tournament. Elena Rybakina, the newly crowned champion in Melbourne, has jumped to World No. 3, displacing Coco Gauff. Rybakina is now reportedly closing the gap on Iga Swiatek as the tour moves into the Middle Eastern swing.
Further down the rankings, Jasmine Paolini has achieved a career milestone by jumping to No. 4, while young sensation Mirra Andreeva experienced a slight dip in points but remains a fixture in the top 10. Notable movements also include Elina Svitolina and Belinda Bencic, who have made history by becoming the first two mothers to occupy spots in the Top 10 simultaneously in the modern era.
British Breakthroughs and Rising Stars
British interest is high as Katie Boulter nears a significant rankings breakthrough following a consistent run of form. Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu is seeing a substantial lift in her live ranking after reaching her first WTA Tour final at the Transylvania Open, overcoming Oleksandra Oliynykov in the semi-finals.
In Abu Dhabi, Filipino star Alex Eala has reached a new career-high live ranking of No. 38 after a quarter-final finish, though live fluctuations currently place her in the top 45 as the tournament progresses.
Key WTA Rankings Data
The following table outlines the current standing of the world’s top players and notable movers as of 6 February 2026.
| Current Rank | Player | Nationality | Status/Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | Neutral | Maintains top spot; withdrew from Doha. |
| 2 | Iga Swiatek | Poland | Steady; under pressure from Rybakina. |
| 3 | Elena Rybakina | Kazakhstan | Up from No. 5 after Australian Open win. |
| 4 | Jasmine Paolini | Italy | Career-high ranking. |
| 5 | Coco Gauff | USA | Dropped following Melbourne title defence failure. |
| 38 (Live) | Alex Eala | Philippines | Career-high following Abu Dhabi QF. |
| Top 10 | Elina Svitolina | Ukraine | Returned to Top 10. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How are WTA ranking points calculated?
A player’s ranking is determined by her best results at a maximum of 18 tournaments for singles and 12 for doubles. Points are awarded based on the tournament tier (e.g., Grand Slam, WTA 1000, WTA 500) and how far the player advances in the draw.
What is the difference between “Official” and “Live” rankings?
Official rankings are released by the WTA every Monday. Live rankings are real-time calculations that update after every match played, providing an immediate look at where a player will stand in the next official release.
What are the requirements to have a WTA ranking?
To appear on the WTA rankings list, a player must earn ranking points in at least three tournaments or score a minimum of 10 singles or doubles ranking points.