As the 2025 tennis season unfolds, Coco Gauff confronts a daunting challenge to maintain her position near the top of the rankings, while Iga Swiatek targets reclaiming the world No. 1 spot from Aryna Sabalenka. With Sabalenka’s commanding lead and a grueling schedule ahead, the battle for supremacy intensifies across multiple hard-court tournaments in North America.
Recent Grand Slam Surprises and Shifting Dynamics
At Wimbledon, the tournament atmosphere crackled around two leading figures: American rising star Coco Gauff, fresh from her second Grand Slam victory at Roland Garros, and Aryna Sabalenka, the formidable Belarusian with two major finals appearances already this year. Despite high expectations, Gauff exited early, and Sabalenka was stopped in the semifinals. This paved the way for Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova to reach the finals in an unexpected turn of events.
Swiatek, historically less confident on grass courts, unleashed a dominant performance to claim the Wimbledon title, overwhelming Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in just 57 minutes. This emphatic victory caught the attention of tennis experts, including legendary coach Rick Macci, who predicts Swiatek’s imminent return to the top ranking.
“It will happen sooner than later as Iga will again be number one on the planet because her mind is made of granite. Not a lot of points to defend and the Polish Punisher will be number one by year’s end.” — Rick Macci, Ex-Coach
Aryna Sabalenka’s Dominance and Ranking Advantage
Since taking the world No. 1 ranking from Swiatek last October, Aryna Sabalenka has held the top spot for an impressive 38 consecutive weeks. Her powerful game and consistent tournament success pushed her past the 12,000-point milestone, a rare achievement reached only once before by Serena Williams in June 2013. Sabalenka currently leads with 12,420 points, holding a substantial margin over second-ranked Coco Gauff by 4,751 points. Swiatek trails Gauff by another 856 points, providing Sabalenka with a significant buffer at the summit.
Despite this lead, Sabalenka faces the challenge of defending a massive haul of points earned during her exceptional late-2024 season, which includes titles at Cincinnati, Wuhan, and the US Open. Combined with deep runs at the Citi DC Open, China Open, and the WTA Finals, she must maintain peak form to avoid losing ground during the demanding North American hard-court swing.
Coco Gauff’s Ranking Pressure and Recent Form
Coco Gauff’s position in the rankings is precarious. After an outstanding French Open triumph this year, she stands to lose 3,060 points by season’s end, especially from strong performances at the China Open and the WTA Finals last year. However, inconsistent results outside these tournaments — including early exits at New York and the North American WTA 1000 events — have placed her in a vulnerable spot as the tennis calendar approaches its most pivotal phase.
Iga Swiatek’s Strategic Advantage and Upcoming Schedule
In contrast, Iga Swiatek enters this crucial period with a relatively secure footing in the rankings. She will lose only 830 points, mainly from last year’s US Open quarterfinal and the WTA Finals. Points from Cincinnati vanished earlier due to a failed drug test suspension, which also kept her out of the Beijing and Wuhan tournaments. This leaves her with a cleaner slate and an opportunity to make significant gains.
Current projections indicate Sabalenka at 7,395 points, Swiatek at 5,983, and Gauff trailing at 4,609 once the current points drop off. Although Sabalenka remains the strong favorite, the 1,412-point gap between her and Swiatek leaves open the possibility of a shift in rankings if Sabalenka falters and Swiatek capitalizes on her form.
Swiatek’s momentum after Wimbledon and careful hard-court preparations signal that this rivalry is far from settled, setting the stage for a tense battle in the remaining months.
Inside Iga Swiatek’s Preparation for North American Hard-Court Tournaments
Swiatek’s camp has outlined a focused plan leading up to the US Open, as shared by her fitness coach, Maciej Ryszczuk. The team resumes training immediately following Wimbledon, then heads to Montreal to adjust to the time zone and court conditions before competing in the Cincinnati and US Open events.
“On Sunday and Monday we return to training. And during the week we fly to Montreal to get used to the time change and train on the courts there. Then the standard Cincinnati and US Open,” — Maciej Ryszczuk, Fitness Coach
Montreal and Cincinnati represent formidable WTA 1000 competitions, essential battlegrounds where Swiatek must prove her readiness. Because her 2024 points for these tournaments were nullified due to missed mandatory appearances, she starts with no points to defend and the opportunity to earn up to 2,000 new points. This fresh start ramps up the pressure but also offers clear potential for advancement.
The Montreal tournament commences July 28, quickly followed by Cincinnati, leaving no room for error. Swiatek will benefit from a high seed and an initial bye round in each draw, but each match from that point forward will be critical, with rankings and momentum on the line.
The Stakes Ahead: Rankings Battle Intensifies
Swiatek’s commanding performance on grass, particularly her double-bagel victory in the Wimbledon final, has fortified her confidence and mental resilience. With physical recovery and strategic focus sharpening, she is poised to mount a sustained challenge against Sabalenka’s reign.
As the season moves into its decisive phase, Coco Gauff remains under pressure to maintain her ranking amidst inconsistent results, while Sabalenka must defend a monumental points total to retain her lead. Meanwhile, Swiatek’s calculated approach and hunger for the No. 1 spot intensify the competition, signaling an electrifying remainder of the year for tennis fans worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Coco Gauff a millionaire?
A. Coco Gauff, a teenage tennis superstar, has earned millions. She recently became a Grand Slam champion by winning the 2023 US Open. At 19, she will add $3 million to her wealth from her victory in New York City.
Q. Does Coco Gauff have a degree?
A. Congratulations on finishing high school, @CocoGauff! The Florida Department of Education awarded Gauff her diploma after she completed her classes at Florida Virtual Flex. At age 18, she managed her studies alongside her rising professional tennis career, maintaining this balance for four years.
Q. Why is Coco Gauff so rich?
A. Celebrity Net Worth says Coco has made over $24.3 million in prize money during her career. This places her in the top 20 highest earners in Women’s Tennis Association history. In 2024, she alone earned about $9.35 million in prize money, according to the site.