Sabalenka's on top of the world

Swiatek loss guarantees first WTA year-end No 1 spot for 26-year-old Belarusian

RIYADH — Aryna Sabalenka clinched the year-end No 1 spot in the women's rankings for the first time when Iga Swiatek lost at the WTA Finals on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Belarusian was assured of finishing 2024 atop the WTA without even swinging her racket on Tuesday, thanks to Swiatek's 6-3, 6-4 setback against Coco Gauff at the season-ending tournament in Saudi Arabia.

A year ago, Sabalenka briefly overtook Swiatek in the rankings in September to get to No 1 for the first time, but relinquished the top spot when Swiatek won the WTA Finals.