WTA rankings: Sabalenka extends reign as world No 1; Osaka back in top 50

Polina Kudermetova makes a giant leap to become new world No 57, improving 50 spots in the singles tally

Aryna Sabalenka, 2025 | © Pat Hoelscher/AP/SIPA

January 6, 2025

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka extended her reign as the world No 1 in the WTA rankings on Monday (January 6) after she grabbed her first title for 2025 in Brisbane. She has now spent 20 weeks as the top-ranked female tennis player on the singles circuit.

AT Brisbane International, Sabalenka scored a comeback win (4-6, 6-3, 6-2) against Russia’s Polina Kudermetova to claim the trophy.

This was understandably a disappointing outcome for Kudermetova, but on the brighter side of things, the run propelled her to a career-high ranking of world No 57, jumping 50 places.

We loved having Polina Kudermetova! Many congratulations on her wonderful performance at #BrisbaneTennis.

Note: remember to try the pasta with shrimp. pic.twitter.com/4tJdCZADWD
— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) January 5, 2025

Osaka is the new world No 50

Naomi Osaka‘s run at the 2025 Auckland Open culminated in a tear-filled retirement, caused by an abdomen injury in the final on Sunday.

Osaka lead Denmark’s Clara Tauson 4-6 in the title clash but decided to quit after a medical timeout, that saw tears rolling down her eyes. The result, however, marked her return to top 50 after she slipped out of it in January 2023.

The run helped her jump seven places and become the new world No 50.