Shriver believes Barty will soon lose the No.1 ranking - "I think someone else is going to step up"

Ashleigh Barty has held the World No.1 ranking for 101 consecutive weeks, but her reign as the top-tanked female tennis player may soon be coming to an end, according to Pam Shriver.

Barty had a stellar 2021 season, winning five titles including the Wimbledon trophy. However, the Aussie chose to skip the rest of the season soon after the US Open, opting to return home following a strenuous year. Although she retained her World No.1 ranking due to her spectacular performance over the year, tennis pundit Pam Shriver believes the 25-year old will not be at the top of the rankings table for much longer.

“Actually, I think there will be a new No.1. I’m not exactly sure whom, but I think Ash has had a great run and I think it could be somebody in the Top 5," said Shriver in an interview with WTATennis. “I’m looking at the points, and I think the most likely one is Garbiñe Muguruza. It could be Aryna Sabalenka, if she buries those demons.

"It wasn’t just what Garbiñe showed at Guadalajara, but she and [coach] Conchita [Martinez] have developed a solid partnership. I feel she’s underachieved in the last couple of years, but I think the second half of 2021 she started to show more of the promise that took her to a French and a Wimbledon title. I’m looking at Ash’s lead and it’s not insignificant."

Shriver conceded that Barty had an incredible run, but stated the Queensland native would not end the year as the top-ranked player.

"Here’s the thing: After the US Open, Ash lost to Shelby Rogers and then she shut down her year," added Shriver. "So if she wanted to chase the year-end ranking – and who knows where the WTA is going to go after the US Open with China for the moment out of play – let’s say it’s something that makes sense for Ash. Certainly, she’s got no points falling off after that.

“But I feel like Ash Barty, as great as she is, I don’t see her as being on top for 154 consecutive weeks. She’s so solid, but I just think someone else is going to step up.”