WTA Rankings Update: Zheng Qinwen climbs to career-high; Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva lose ground

The WTA Rankings have been updated following the first week of the grass-swing, with several adjustments in the top 10. Zheng Qinwen reached her career-high ranking as world No. 4 – despite her semifinal loss at the Queen’s Club Championships.

American Madison Keys had similar fortune to Zheng, eliminated in the semifinals, but it was enough to advance a couple of positions in the Ranking. Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva, and Iga Swiatek were among those who lost spots but still remain within the top 10.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Coco Gauff are practically secured in their positions throughout the entire grass-swing. The Belarusian has a difference of close to 3,500 points compared to Coco Gauff, ensuring her spot at the top of the ranking even after Wimbledon ends.

Both Sabalenka and Gauff opted to take a week off during the first week of grass-court tournaments but return this week, with the peace of mind that no immediate movements are expected in their rankings. Further back is Jessica Pegula, who also remains firm in third place and will defend her title this week at the Berlin Ladies Open.

The movements begin at 4th place, as Zheng Qinwen achieved her best ranking as world No. 4, with less than 50 points difference from her immediate pursuer. This means Zheng will arrive at Wimbledon as the 4th seed – avoiding potential clashes against Gauff or Sabalenka until the semifinals. Zheng benefited from a week with several of her top-10 colleagues out of competition and claimed a coveted 4th spot, especially considering the small differences in that area of the ranking.

While Zheng advanced one spot, Madison Keys, also a semifinalist at Queen's, moved from 8th to No. 6 (displacing Swiatek and Andreeva by one position). The American had a chance to reach No. 4, but was surprised in the semifinals and ultimately left that space to the Chinese player.

From 4th to 8th place, there are small differences – less than 250 points among 5 players. With a WTA 500 this week and Wimbledon two weeks away, the grass-swing will surely bring several movements in the top 8, which has remained consistent throughout the year with the same names repeating deep runs throughout the season.

There were undoubtedly some surprises over the weekend, though the biggest was Tatjana Maria's incredible campaign at Queen's, winning her first WTA 500 title, defeating four top-15 rivals along the way and triumphing over Amanda Anisimova in the final. With this, she became the biggest climber of the week, from No. 86 to No. 43.

Anisimova herself gained a good number of points that allowed her to climb to No. 13, though still more than 500 points away from the top 10, which is rounded out by Paula Badosa.

Another big mover was Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who reached the Libema Open final – coming through qualifying – and positioned herself at No. 58. The winner was Elise Mertens, who, while adding 250 points, only managed to move up one spot to world No. 24.