Jasmine Paolini rises to No. 4, tying record for highest-ranked Italian in WTA rankings history

Meanwhile, the gap between No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek grows from 41 points to 1,046 points.

The points from last year’s WTA Finals drop off this week, meaning there’s some movement in the WTA Top 10—and some history.

With no points dropping off of her total as she didn’t play the year-end championships last year, Jasmine Paolini rises from No. 6 to No. 4 this week—not only is it a new career-high for her, jumping over her previous career-high of No. 5, but she also ties the record for highest-ranked Italian player in WTA rankings history.

Francesca Schiavone, best known for winning Roland Garros in 2010, also reached No. 4 on the WTA rankings the following year in 2011.

Only four Italians, male or female, have reached the Top 4 in either ATP or WTA rankings history, which began in 1973 and 1975.

ITALIANS TO REACH ATP OR WTA TOP 4 (since 1973 and 1975):

Adriano Panatta [No. 4 on ATP rankings in 1976] Francesca Schiavone [No. 4 on WTA rankings in 2011] Jannik Sinner [No. 1 on ATP rankings in 2024] Jasmine Paolini [No. 4 on WTA rankings in 2024] A few spots up from Paolini, the points gap between No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek has widened dramatically, from 41 points last week (9,706 to 9,665) to 1,046 points this week (9,016 to 7,970). At last year’s WTA Finals, Sabalenka reached the semifinals, falling to Swiatek, who went on to win the title undefeated.

This week is also Sabalenka’s milestone 10th career week at No. 1.