The Australian Open has now reached its conclusion, with WTA Tour star Elena Rybakina triumphing in the women’s singles.
Rybakina defeated Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena.
She now has two Grand Slam titles to her name, with Rybakina having beaten Ons Jabeur in the final of Wimbledon in 2022.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka now has a 4-4 record in Grand Slam finals, including two successive defeats at the Australian Open.
How many Grand Slam titles does Elena Rybakina win in her career?
Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff change rankings after Australian Open
Importantly for the Belarusian, Sabalenka has managed to retain her WTA number one ranking after her run in Melbourne.
Iga Swiatek is also still in second place after losing in the quarterfinals to Rybakina, who has now jumped two places to third following her title.
Who will be ranked higher by the end of 2026 – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
Amanda Anisimova has stayed in fourth, but her fellow American Coco Gauff has dropped two places to fifth after her quarterfinal exit.
Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini stay in sixth to eighth places respectively, but there are moves for Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina.
The former has climbed one spot to ninth place in the world rankings, with the latter jumping two spots to 10th.
| Rank | Change | Player |
| 1 | – | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2 | – | Iga Swiatek |
| 3 | +2 | Elena Rybakina |
| 4 | – | Amanda Anisimova |
| 5 | -2 | Coco Gauff |
| 6 | – | Jessica Pegula |
| 7 | – | Mirra Andreeva |
| 8 | – | Jasmine Paolini |
| 9 | +1 | Belinda Bencic |
| 10 | +2 | Elina Svitolina |
Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka experience big ranking changes
Significantly, big ranking changes have not only taken place in the top 10 of the WTA Tour after the Australian Open.
There are also several key changes in positions 11-20, including 2025 champion Madison Keys dropping six places to 15th.
Ahead of her in 13th and 14th are Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka respectively, each climbing three places.
| Rank | Change | Player |
| 11 | – | Ekaterina Alexandrova |
| 12 | +1 | Linda Noskova |
| 13 | +3 | Victoria Mboko |
| 14 | +3 | Naomi Osaka |
| 15 | -6 | Madison Keys |
| 16 | -2 | Clara Tauson |
| 17 | -2 | Emma Navarro |
| 18 | – | Liudmila Samsonova |
| 19 | – | Karolina Muchova |
| 20 | +7 | Iva Jovic |
Former top 10 player Emma Navarro is now down in 17th after falling two places, while her fellow American Iva Jovic has climbed seven places to 20th.
And further down the line, Australian Open qualifier Zeynep Sonmez has risen a huge 33 places to 79th after reaching the third round in Melbourne.
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