Although about a year ago we talked about the incredible superiority and dominance of Iga Swiatek both on the track and in the classification, that clear mandate seems to be coming to an end, at least in that way. After the distribution of the points after the Miami Open 2023, 1000 are subtracted from the Polish, while their closest rivals have continued to add a large amount in recent weeks. Unfortunately, Swiatek was unable to defend his title as he withdrew through injury. His successor in this sense is Peter Kvitovwho leaves the United States with the feeling of having been reborn on the track.
KVITOVA, AGAIN IN THE TOP 10
As an additional prize to the Miami Open 2023 title, the 33-year-old Czech player will climb up the table to tenth position in the next WTA Ranking update. The last time Petra was in that position was for several months in 2021, but it occurred irregularly. Now, Kvitova has shown her great tennis form with two major tournaments on American soil. We will have to wait to find out if Petra will be able to sign good results on clay and if she proposes herself as one of the serious candidates to lift the Wimbledon trophy a little later. As she has done in Miami, Kvitova has the quality to shine at any time, without the need to be on any specific number in the ranking.
As a consequence of this increase, Belinda Bencic disappears from the Top 10. The Swiss player has only been able to get a victory in the two American WTA 1000. Who also advances in the Top 10 is Maria Sakkari. The Greek is ranked number nine in the world after a good performance in Indian Wells.
A TIGHT HALF TABLE
There is a difference of less than 1,000 points from Caroline Garcia, number 4 (4,990), to Elena Rybakina, number 7. Despite reaching the grand final in Miami, the Kazakh player does not advance in the table, although she is only 41 behind. Coco Gauff points. According to the dynamics that have taken place in recent months, Elena should not have too many problems to surpass her in the ranking, although now comes the tour on clay and Gauff could give a great level in it. The fact that this group is so crowded suggests that there will be many changes in the coming weeks, especially in the big events on the calendar (WTA 1000 and Grand Slam), knowing that many have opportunities to win trophies.
THE FIRST POSITION COULD BE IN DANGER
Iga Swiatek remains the heavy favorite to win titles on the clay court tour, but in recent months she has shown more weaknesses than usual. Players like Elena Rybakina, Barbora Krejcikova or Jessica Pegula have known how to beat the Pole in recent months. It will also depend on how it arrives on a physical level in the coming weeks.
For the moment, Iga remains the leader in the WTA Ranking with 8975 points, having Aryna Sabalenka, her closest pursuer and recent finalist in Indian Wells, with 6945. The Polish player still has room for manoeuvre, although Aryna also has opportunities to continue starring in great victories and lifting important titles. Jessica Pegula matches her mark from last year so she continues with 5605 points which makes her third on the list.
OTHER IMPORTANT CHANGES
As anticipated after her defeat, Paula Badosa leaves the Top 30, leaving this group without Spanish players for the moment. Despite the fact that at the level of sensations she seems to be getting better every time, Badosa did not have the best of luck facing both in Indian Wells and in Miami with the great Elena Rybakina. Among the tennis players who have added the most positions are Elise Mertens (+10, now number 29), Sorana Cirstea (+33, number 41) or Varvara Gracheva (+9, number 45).
