Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur and Madison Keys make huge strides on leaderboard after Madrid Open 2024

The 2024 Madrid Open concluded with Iga Swiatek edging out Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final to win the women's singles title. It was a rematch of the previous edition, where Sabalenka won the battle against the Pole. However, Swiatek now avenged her loss 12 months later with a 7-4, 4-6, 7-6(7).

The latest win in the major women’s single event helped the World No.1 cement her spot atop the WTA Race to Riyadh leaderboard. Notably, it was her maiden title in Madrid and third of the 2024 season. Her previous success was in the Qatar Open and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Swiatek currently tops the WTA Race Rankings with 4335 points, up 1000 points after a remarkable campaign in the Spanish capital. Her rival in the summit clash, Sabalenka, also added 650 points to her tally, but that could not help the Belarusian to climb past Elena Rybakina into third place.

Madison Keys, Ons Jabeur made big gains

The biggest gainer in the WTA race rankings was Madison Keys, who was eliminated in the semifinals at the Madrid Open. Keys, who defeated Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur, jumped 58 spots to be placed at No.33 with 578 points. Notably, the American earned 390 points with her fruitful outing in Madrid.

Meanwhile, eighth seed Jabeur, who lost to Keys in the quarterfinals, also made a huge improvement in her rankings. Having accumulated 215 points after her recent Spanish tour, the Tunisian climbed 33 spots to enter the top 50 list at No.41.  

Meanwhile, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia has been given the right to host the next three editions of the WTA Finals from 2024-2026. This comes after a new agreement between the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation. The ability to fund and deliver a world-class event for players and fans, and the Gulf nation's commitment to growing the WTA Finals, are key reasons for understanding the transfer of hosting rights to them.