In February, a number of the WTA Tour’s top players will be competing at prestigious events, but they also have key points to defend from their performances in 2024. With a packed month ahead, which includes high-profile tournaments in the Middle East, as well as events concluding in Linz and Singapore, let’s break down which players have the most to protect.
The WTA Tour will head to the Middle East next month, where the action kicks off with a WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi, followed by back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments in Doha and Dubai. Additionally, the conclusion of the ongoing tournaments in Linz (500) and Singapore (250) will factor into players’ rankings, alongside the start of fresh events like the WTA 250 in Cluj-Napoca and the WTA 500 in Merida and the WTA 250 in Austin, which will run until early March.
WTA Rankings Top 10 (As of January 27)
- Aryna Sabalenka – 8,956
- Iga Swiatek (Poland) – 8,770
- Coco Gauff (United States) – 6,538
- Jasmine Paolini (Italy) – 5,289
- Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) – 4,893
- Jessica Pegula (United States) – 4,861
- Madison Keys (United States) – 4,680
- Zheng Qinwen (China) – 4,095
- Emma Navarro (United States) – 3,709
- Paula Badosa (Spain) – 3,608
For Aryna Sabalenka, February will be a breeze in terms of defending points, as she only needs to protect 10 points. The Belarusian did not compete in Abu Dhabi or Dubai last year, and she suffered a first-round exit in Dubai after a bye. This light load means Sabalenka has room to improve on her current ranking.
Iga Swiatek, on the other hand, faces a more challenging task, with a significant 1,390 points on the line. The Polish star not only won the WTA 1000 event in Doha last year but also advanced to the semi-finals in Dubai, earning valuable points in both events. February will see Swiatek’s efforts on these courts play a pivotal role in her attempt to maintain or improve her ranking.
Coco Gauff, currently ranked No. 3, has 225 points to defend. Her results from last February saw her lose early in Qatar and reach the quarter-finals in Dubai, meaning a solid performance in those same tournaments will be key to retaining her position in the rankings.
Jasmine Paolini has more points to worry about, with 1,011 points at risk after her remarkable run to her maiden WTA 1000 title in Dubai last year. However, she also lost in the first round of both Linz and Doha, which means her success in February will be critical if she is to hold on to her ranking.
Elena Rybakina faces the biggest challenge among the top players, with 1,365 points to defend. Her successful 2024 February included a win in Abu Dhabi, a runner-up finish in Qatar, and a strong quarter-final showing in Dubai. Rybakina’s performance in these events will be crucial in maintaining her position.
Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys are in a more favorable position, as neither player participated in these tournaments last February, meaning they won’t lose any points this time around.
Points Dropping in February:
- Aryna Sabalenka – 10
- Iga Swiatek – 1,390
- Coco Gauff – 225
- Jasmine Paolini – 1,011
- Elena Rybakina – 1,365
- Jessica Pegula – 0
- Madison Keys – 0
- Zheng Qinwen – 335
- Emma Navarro – 185
- Paula Badosa – 95
- Daria Kasatkina – 345
- Danielle Collins – 330
- Diana Shnaider – 280
- Anna Kalinskaya – 690
Other players, such as Zheng Qinwen, have 335 points to defend, while Emma Navarro and Paula Badosa are looking at smaller but still important losses of 185 and 95 points respectively.
A noteworthy mention goes to Anna Kalinskaya, who has a whopping 680 points at risk after her stunning run to the 2024 Dubai Championships final as a qualifier. Her strong performance last year has boosted her ranking, but she’ll need another solid campaign to avoid a drop.
Lastly, Jelena Ostapenko, who triumphed in Linz last year, will be defending her 500-point title defense after being unable to repeat her success. This loss has already seen Ostapenko drop from No. 26 to No. 34 in the Live WTA Rankings.
As February unfolds, these players will be under significant pressure to perform, with both the potential to rise or fall in the rankings depending on how well they defend their points across these key tournaments.