Tennis: Poland’s Świątek starts week 92 as WTA world No. 1

Poland's Iga Świątek has started her 92nd week at the top of the Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) world rankings, with a 1,380-point lead over her nearest rival.

Polish tennis player Iga Świątek.

Photo: EPA/STEVEN MARKHAM

The Polish player last week reached the semifinals of the Dubai Open tournament in the United Arab Emirates, where she was beaten on Friday by Russian qualifier Anna Kalinskaya 4-6, 4-6.

Having the week of her life 🌟

Anna Kalinskaya defeats world No.1 Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 to become just the second qualifier to reach a WTA 1000 final!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/0hzxG49YME

— wta (@WTA) February 23, 2024

Iga Świątek przegrała przez zmęczenie? Tenisistka szukała przyczyn słabszego spotkania #WTADubai https://t.co/7lYxf1rgcC

— Sport PR (@sportradiopl) February 23, 2024

Earlier this month, Świątek won the Qatar Open tournament in Doha for the third consecutive time, claiming her 18th career singles title.

The 22-year-old Pole in November regained her spot at the top of the world rankings in women's tennis after winning the season-ending WTA Finals tournament in Mexico.

The Polish star, coached by countryman Tomasz Wiktorowski, now leads the WTA rankings with 10,105 points, ahead of Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, with 8,725 points, and American Coco Gauff, with 6,975.

The second-highest ranked Polish female player, Magdalena Fręch, moved down 11 spots to a career-best No. 42 in the latest WTA rankings.

Meanwhile, countrywoman Magda Linette moved down from 48th to 53rd place in the new world rankings, which were released on Monday.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, wtatennis.com