Changes in the tennis rankings: A new female ruler or a big shift for Fruhvirt

The initial part of the season is over. It was capped off with a tournament in Miami that brought a great deal of stories. The talented Alcaraz triumphed in the men’s division, while Swiatek dominated the women’s. The Pole also becomes the new world number one. Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic also made a big step forward, reaching the semi-finals in Miami. Which other ranking shifts are worth mentioning?

Third major title in a row for Swiatek

Iga Swiatek absolutely dominates women’s tennis. The 20-year-old Pole is in the form of her life. After the titles in Doha and Indian Wells, she also dominated the tournament in Miami and completed her winning hat-trick. She became the youngest player ever to win Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. She is currently on a streak of 17 wins in a row and is absolutely unstoppable.

With these achievements, she will become the new world number one on Monday, replacing the retiring Ashleigh Barty. She has a lead of over 1,700 points over her nearest rivals. And now she’ll be playing on her favourite clay court. So it is more likely that she will continue to increase her lead. If nothing surprising happens, the Pole will still be the world number one at the end of the season.

Naomi Osaka was also successful in Miami, reaching the final. In the title match, she was no match for Swiatek, who beat her 6:4 and 6:0. It was a very good tournament from the controversial Japanese player, she beat Kerber, Collins and Bencic on her way to the final. She improved 41 positions in the rankings and is currently ranked 36th. It seems that her lost performance is back.

Fruhvirt shines in Miami

Linda Fruhvirt, 16, made the biggest jump in the rankings. The young Czech is one of the biggest talents in world tennis and she clearly confirmed it at the tournament in Miami. She received a wild card from the tournament organizers, which she used perfectly.

She scored the scalps of Kovinic, Mertens and Azarenka and reached the eighth round. She lost to the favourite Badosa, but she did not disappoint.

Fruhvirt thus achieved the best tournament success of her career, which was also reflected in the rankings. She improved by 91 places and jumped to 188th place. She can improve her ranking at this week’s tournament in Charleston. In the first round, she will face Croatia’s Konjuh.

A lifetime achievement for Alcaraz

The men’s tournament in Miami was completely dominated by Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Nora Ruud in the final. The Spaniard made great use of the absence of Nadal or Medvedev to win the biggest title of his career. Alcaraz is a star of the upcoming generation, and this season he is definitely proving it.

He has already won 18 matches this season and has only tasted the bitterness of defeat on two occasions, becoming the youngest champion in history at the Miami tournament. He has already improved to 11th in the rankings and is even second in the season standings.

It is only a matter of time before this Spaniard attacks a major Grand Slam title. Already at Roland Garros he will be one of the big favourites.

One of the biggest surprises of the tournament was Francisco Cerundolo. It has been a very successful two weeks for the 23-year-old Argentine. He scored the scalps of Opelka, Monfils and Sinner and reached the semi-finals, which is the success of his life.

Before the tournament, he was ranked 103rd, but that is now in the past. Thanks to his progress to the semi-finals, he improved to 51st place, his highest ranking.

Source:: WTA, ATP, Twitter