Elena Rybakina surpasses Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu enters the top 20.

Elena Rybakina, the emerging force in women’s tennis, delivered an impressive performance that catapulted her to third place in the WTA ranking following her victory at the 2026 Australian Open. However, in an alternative ranking that evaluates players based on different factors, Rybakina is considered the second-best player on the women’s circuit. With 7,523 points in the WTA ranking, the Kazakh athlete is just 455 points behind second-placed Iga Swiatek and 3,467 points behind leader Aryna Sabalenka.

But what exactly is this alternative ranking system, known as UTR (Universal Tennis Rating)? Unlike the traditional WTA ranking, which accounts for points earned over the last 52 weeks, the UTR is based on an algorithm that places greater emphasis on recent results and victories against higher-ranked players. This system is accessible to all players, regardless of age, gender, or skill level, and evaluates everyone on the same scale, ranging from 1.00 to 16.50, according to match results.

The results considered for the UTR include only matches played in the last 12 months, focusing on the last 30 competitions held by the player, or fewer if the athlete has participated in less than 30 matches during that period. Aryna Sabalenka, who was defeated by Rybakina in the final of the Australian Open, leads the women’s UTR rankings with a remarkable score of 13.24. The four-time Grand Slam champion started 2026 on a high note, winning the Brisbane International and then finishing as the runner-up at the WTA Finals, in addition to securing the title at the US Open in November.

Rybakina, with a UTR score of 13.21, closely follows Sabalenka. Her victorious journey at the Australian Open reflects the impressive form she displayed at the end of the previous season, when she won the WTA Finals and the Ningbo Open. Iga Swiatek, the current world number 2 in the WTA rankings, holds the third position in the UTR with a rating of 12.96. American Jessica Pegula is in fourth place, moving up two spots in the WTA ranking with a score of 12.94.

The list of the top ten players in the UTR ranking is completed by Amanda Anisimova (5th, 12.92), Elina Svitolina (6th, 12.89), Ekaterina Alexandrova (7th, 12.77), and Coco Gauff, who is in eighth place, three positions below her ranking in the WTA, with a score of 12.75. Karolina Muchova and Zheng Qinwen round out the top 10 of the UTR. Emma Raducanu, currently in 25th place in the WTA ranking, is in 19th place in the UTR with a score of 12.57.

The dynamics of the women’s tennis circuit are constantly evolving, and these alternative rankings provide a new perspective on the players’ performances. Rybakina, Swiatek, Gauff, and Raducanu are just a few of the stars who continue to shape the future of the sport, promising fierce competition in upcoming tournaments. It is an exciting time for fans and a testament to the talent and determination of these athletes who, day after day, strive to stay at the top.