Iga Swiatek powers back into World No. 1 race after European summer surge

For a third consecutive season, the prestigious year-end crown could be decided at the season-ending event.

Swiatek has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence this summer, capturing three titles in as many months, including triumphs at Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Open, and the Korea Open, where she overcame Ekaterina Alexandrova in the final.

Her success has lifted her from a three-year low of No. 8 back to No. 2, and she now sits just under 3,000 points away from reclaiming top spot.

The Pole has not held the world No. 1 ranking since October 2024, when Sabalenka dethroned her and maintained the position ever since.

Swiatek attributed the current gap to missing the Asian swing last year, when she was sidelined by a one-month ban after testing positive for trimetazidine during an anti-doping investigation.

Although she returned at the start of 2025, the early months proved challenging, with emotional struggles compounded by a painful semi-final defeat at Roland Garros.

But her breakthrough Wimbledon victory ended a 13-month title drought, sparking a wave of confidence that has carried into her recent run. 

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