Sobolenko can return the title of the first racket of the world before the end of the season: key tournaments on the way to the top of the WTA

According to the results of the past US Open, Arina Sobolenko, who continuously headed the rating for 99 weeks, dropped to second place, passing ahead Elena Rybakina. Now the tennis players share 2026 rating points. However, in the fall, both athletes will have to defend a significant number of points, so before the end of the season, the balance of forces may change again.

The key tournaments in mid-autumn can be three competitions in China - in Beijing, Wuhan and Ningbo - as well as the start in Tokyo, Japan.

WTA 1000, Beijing (30 September to 11 October)

Arina Sobolenko has never been in Beijing beyond the quarterfinals. Last year, the Belarusian missed the tournament altogether, so she will not have to defend her rating points.

Elena Rybakina played in Beijing last season, but finished the fight at an early stage. Now the Kazakhstani tennis player has to defend 120 points.

WTA 1000, Wuhan (October 12-18)

Sobolenko is the only three-time winner of the tournament in Wuhan. Last year, the Belarusian failed to defend the title, so this season he will have the opportunity to replenish his point reserve again.

Rybakina will have to defend 215 points for reaching the quarterfinals last season. Then she conceded exactly Sobolenko.

WTA 500, Ningbo (October 19-25)

Last season, Rybakina won the Ningbo title, so now she needs to defend 500 ranking points.

Sobolenko missed the tournament last year, and this time he will be able to score additional points if he takes part.

WTA 500, Tokyo (from October 26 to November 1)

At the tournament in Tokyo last season, Rybakina reached the semifinals, for which she received 195 points.

Sobolenko does not need to protect glasses in Japan.

According to the results of the Asian series, Arina with a successful performance can significantly reduce the backlog, but in the WTA calendar there is another key start to the season - the Final Tournament. It will take place November 8-15 in Indian Wells.

Last year, Arina Sobolenko and Elena Rybakina fought for the trophy in the final. Belarus lost with the score 3:6, 6:7. At the same time, the representative of Kazakhstan not only won the title, but also completed the group stage without defeats. In total, Rybakina scored 1,500 rating points, which she must now defend. However, Sobolenko will have to defend a lot of points - 1000.

Thus, Rybakina can not guarantee the first place in the WTA ranking at the end of the season. Sobolenko still has a chance to regain leadership. In addition, we should not forget about the health problems of the fisherman. In New York, she endured a number of tough matches, and it is not necessary to rule out a physical decline.