Predicting the 2026 WTA Year-End Top 10

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka holds over a 2,000 point lead at the top of the WTA rankings. But will she keep that lead by the end of 2026? Will rival Coco Gauff keep on breaking down Sabalenka’s power? How about Iga Swiatek?

LWOT predicts the 2026 WTA year-end Top 10 below. There’s no certainty as to what will happen next year, yet the following ten players all either have current success at the top of women’s tennis, or they have the game to make the big leap to the top tier of the sport. We also predicted the year-end Top 10 for the ATP.

Predicting the 2026 WTA Year-End Top 10

10. Victoria Mboko

2025 Finish: No. 18

Mboko, at just 18, was one of the best stories of 2025 when she won her home tournament at the Canadian Open. Since then, Mboko’s game has regressed a bit, but I see her making another big jump in 2026. She has an aggressive game and is clutch under pressure when needed.

9. Jasmine Paolini

2025 Finish: No. 8

There were lots of 2025 highs and lows for Paolini, and I see the Italian stagnating at the same level next season. She had a poor season in Grand Slams, but won the 2025 Italian Open and battled well to reach the WTA Finals. A 46-21 record is something to be proud of, and while I think she’ll have a worse overall record, she may sneak into a Grand Slam semifinal or two.

8. Mirra Andreeva

2025 Finish: No. 9

Andreeva’s mental game held her back in some big matches, and ultimately, cost her a spot in the WTA Finals. I have Andreeva moving up one spot, particularly finishing the season well. The youngster has lots of points to defend, notably in Dubai and Indian Wells, and she can’t afford any signs of shakiness or nerves.

7. Jessica Pegula

2025 Finish: No. 6

Pegula picked up her form at the end of the season, but it was an overall poor Grand Slam year. Early losses at the Australian Open and Wimbledon plagued her ranking a bit, so she’ll look to regain points there. I see Pegula winning a WTA 1000 tournament, but the 31-year-old will have to make a major push for a Grand Slam title as soon as she can.

6. Linda Noskova

2025 Finish: No. 13

The next year-end Top 10 debutant I have is Noskova, who relies on power and footspeed. At 21 years old, the important goal for Noskova is winning a WTA title in 2026, which she wasn’t able to do in 2025. Noskova was able to go deep in tournaments such as Dubai and Beijing, as she’ll have to be more consistent in Grand Slams, where she put together a lackluster 5-4 record this year.

5. Coco Gauff

2025 Finish: No. 3

Gauff will constantly look to break down opponents, but eyes will be on the American’s forehand and serve to see if it can step up to consistently stay with the best. She’s certainly able to take out the top players on a good day, yet she can be overpowered on a bad day. I don’t see Gauff winning a Grand Slam title in 2026, which will drop her ranking a bit, but multiple titles during the season will keep her in the Top 5.

4. Elena Rybakina

2025 Finish: No. 5

Rybakina is my pick to move up the rankings in 2026, though I see her ending at No. 4. She has little points to defend early in the season, and a deep Australian Open run is something I can see happening. Her ranking may drop in the fall with a plethora of WTA Finals points to defend in November. Her movement and footwork is the key to taking out top players; the powerful serve will always be there.

3. Iga Swiatek

2025 Finish: No. 2

Swiatek won’t have any titles to defend until just after the French Open, and I see that allowing the Pole to gain some more ranking points early in 2026. It’s all about the patterns and momentum for the Pole; she can quickly lose her footing and consistency on a bad day. I see Swiatek regaining her French Open crown this season.

2. Amanda Anisimova

2025 Finish: No. 3

Swiatek won’t finish higher than No. 3, in my opinion, because I see Anisimova having a big year and keeping the Pole at bay. Anisimova has a strong backhand, and her rising confidence will help her regularly go deep in tournaments. Defending the Wimbledon and US Open finalist points may be tough, but I can see the American winning the US Open.

1. Aryna Sabalenka

2025 Finish: No. 1

No player was more consistent than Sabalenka in the big tournaments, and that’s why I have the 2025 year-end No. 1 as the 2026 year-end top player. Sabalenka will look to win her fifth Grand Slam in 2026, and I can see her winning Wimbledon, a tournament where she’s struggled to get over the finish line.