While reminiscing about her recent vacation in Mykonos, Greece, Aryna Sabalenka is celebrating a milestone that places her among the greatest players in WTA history. The Belarusian star has now reached 100 weeks as world No. 1, becoming just the 10th woman since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1975 to occupy the top spot for that long.
Already a back-to-back year-end world No. 1 (in 2024 and 2025), Sabalenka has built one of the most sustained runs at the top of the women’s game. The 28-year-old has now joined another elite club, with only Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams, Chris Evert, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Iga Swiatek, Ashleigh Barty, and Justine Henin having spent more weeks at No. 1.
When it comes to consecutive weeks at the top, Sabalenka is impressive in that aspect as well, having now spent 92 consecutive weeks as No. 1. That moves her past Seles for the sixth-longest uninterrupted reign since the WTA rankings were introduced, with only Graf, Williams, Navratilova, Barty, and Evert having recorded longer streaks.
Sabalenka’s No. 1 ranking could come under threat during the North American hard-court swing, with Elena Rybakina closing the gap after a strong start to the season. The Belarusian currently leads by just over 400 points, and the Kazakhstani could challenge for the top spot if she gains ground in Canada, Cincinnati, and at the US Open. However, Sabalenka has fewer points to defend before New York and has been dominant at Flushing Meadows in recent years, winning back-to-back titles and reaching three finals in the last four editions. (source: WTA, photo: Jimmie48)
