The WTA Tour has already experienced plenty of drama despite being in the very early stages of the 2026 season.
Aryna Sabalenka won the Brisbane International, while her close rival Iga Swiatek helped Poland win the United Cup.
Moreover, Elina Svitolina triumphed in Auckland, with the WTA Tour now turning to the Adelaide International and Hobart International.
They are the final events in the calendar before the Australian Open, which returns to Melbourne Park next week.
Aryna Sabalenka will NOT end the year as world number one – prove us wrong!
Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova swap places in new WTA top 10
Before that, the WTA Tour rankings have been updated, with a new-look top 10 now in place after the latest events.
Sabalenka has retained her world number one ranking, as has Swiatek in second, but Coco Gauff has risen one spot to third.
She has replaced fellow American Amanda Anisimova, who has dropped one spot to fourth, while Elena Rybakina remains in fifth.
Jessica Pegula has also stayed in sixth place, but Jasmine Paolini and Mirra Andreeva have each risen one spot to seventh and eighth respectively.
Madison Keys has dropped two spots to ninth, while Belinda Bencic is up one spot to 10th after her MVP showing at the United Cup for Switzerland.
| Rank | Change | Player | Points |
| 1 | – | Aryna Sabalenka | 10,990 |
| 2 | – | Iga Swiatek | 8,328 |
| 3 | +1 | Coco Gauff | 6,423 |
| 4 | -1 | Amanda Anisimova | 6,320 |
| 5 | – | Elena Rybakina | 5,850 |
| 6 | – | Jessica Pegula | 5,453 |
| 7 | +1 | Jasmine Paolini | 4,267 |
| 8 | +1 | Mirra Andreeva | 4,232 |
| 9 | -2 | Madison Keys | 4,003 |
| 10 | +1 | Belinda Bencic | 3,512 |
Belinda Bencic emulates Serena Williams after United Cup heroics
While Poland finally won the United Cup after losing back-to-back finals, Switzerland stole the hearts of many in Australia.
ATP veteran Stan Wawrinka enjoyed a stunning tournament, kick-starting his final season as a professional in superb fashion.
But impressing most of all was Bencic, who went undefeated 5-0 across five ties to earn the MVP award for the tournament.
Prove us wrong…
She also earned 500 ranking points, and is now the first mother in the WTA top 10 since Serena Williams in 2021.
Bencic returned to tennis unranked in October 2024 after the birth of her daughter in April, before finishing the year 913th in the world.
It’s been a stunning return for the former world number four, who will now set her sights on more success at the Australian Open.
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