Iga Swiatek set to keep World No.1 spot with no Aryna Sabalenka threat due to Qatar Open withdrawal

Iga Swiatek was all set to be neck and neck with Aryna Sabalenka during the Qatar Open for the World No.1 spot in the WTA Rankings, but she won't lose it for some time yet after the Australian Open champion withdrew.

Sabalenka's Australian Open title coupled with Swiatek losing early in Melbourne at the same tournament meant that they would be side by side and even on the same points by then. But the Pole will keep her top spot for a little while yet.

Swiatek's lead sits at only 865 points ahead of the Middle East swing and she is expected to add to her 9,300 points. She will drop 470 points from winning the tournament last year if she doesn't defend her points haul and will also have the chance to add to that in Dubai.

Sabalenka will remain on 8,905 points, but luckily for her she didn't play Qatar Open last season for the same reason as her withdrawing from this year's with celebrations ongoing after winning the Australian Open so she won't drop any points. But for now, Swiatek is safe and will keep the World No.1 ranking until at least mid February when the tournament in Doha comes to an end.

Sabalenka will likely resume her season in Dubai heading towards Indian Wells and Miami so will next have a chance to add to her points tally and head towards the World No.1 spot then. It will likely change hands multiple times before the end of the season, with Sabalenka initially snapping Swiatek's dominance at the 2023 US Open only for the latter to retake top spot at the WTA Finals.