WTA Ranking: These are the most outstanding female players of 2024
We review the big surprises and disappointments of the women's season in terms of rises and falls in the rankings. What will the movements be in 2025?
The WTA season has come to an end after the conclusion of the WTA Finals and the crowning of Cori Gauff as the master. A 2024 where we have seen three players win all four Grand Slams of the season, with Aryna Sabalenka taking the Australian Open and the US Open, Iga Swiatek the French Open, and Barbora Krejcikova causing a surprise at Wimbledon.
The WTA Finals served as the icing on the cake for the 2024 season. Although it was a bit surprising to see Iga Swiatek fall in the group stage, the players displayed a high level on the court and showed why they were at the year’s final event. It has been a year with some surprises and changes in the WTA rankings, let’s review them.
– Rise of Paolini and Zheng
Jasmine Paolini finished the 2023 season in the top 30 and this year reached two Grand Slam finals and secured a title, propelling her to the fourth spot in the rankings. Without a doubt, she is one of the most consistent players of the season due to her strength from the baseline. On the other hand, Chinese player Qinwen Zheng surprised the world with her stellar performance throughout much of the season. She clinched her first Masters 1000 title, reached her first Grand Slam final, and almost grabbed the WTA Finals trophy, offering bright prospects for Chinese tennis in the future. Zheng finishes the year as number 5 in the ranking.
– Disappointing Seasons for Sakkari and Jabeur
Both players experienced a second half of the year marked by shoulder injuries and will return in 2025. Maria Sakkari only managed a notable result in the season by reaching the final at WTA Indian Wells, which falls short of the expectations set for her this season. At 29 years old, she is at an ideal age to maintain consistency. On the other hand, aside from the clay season, Tunisian player Ons Jabeur had a very negative season with results far from her usual standards. Although her plan is to return in 2025, she will have been out of competition for six months, posing a challenge for her. Ons Jabeur finishes the year at 41 and the Greek at 32, whereas both ended 2023 in the top 10.
– The Untouchables: Sabalenka and Swiatek
The leading figures in women’s tennis continue their journey with outstanding results. Despite some unusual months for Iga Swiatek due to a sudden change in coach, she remains the player to beat on clay and likely will be in the coming years. She stays at the top of the rankings alongside Aryna Sabalenka, who is firmly established as the player who instills the most fear in her opponents, thanks to her character and powerful shots. Together, they have won three of the four major tournaments this year.
– The Comeback of Paula Badosa
It has been a considerable challenge for Paula to prove once again that she is an elite player. There has been much talk about her off-court life and its potential impact on her performance. Nevertheless, she finishes the season at 12th place in the ranking, and 2025 holds promise for her. Gradually, she is sure to display her skills and return to competing in the final stages of the biggest tournaments on the circuit. Last year, she finished at 65th in the world.
