How tennis rankings work on the ATP and WTA Tour, as U.S. Open puts world No. 1s on the line

Tennis

U.S. Open

2m ago

Most fans will have at least one moment during the tennis season when they need to figure out how the tennis rankings actually work. Last year’s came Oct. 21, when Aryna Sabalenka overtook Iga Świątek as the women’s world No. 1 because of an unheralded WTA Tour rule that the organization did not explain or forecast before making the change.

This year’s arrives with the U.S. Open, with the world No. 1 ranking on the line in both the men’s and women’s draws. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are fighting for the top ranking on the ATP Tour, while Świątek, Sabalenka and — maybe — Coco Gauff are in play on the WTA Tour.