2026 WTA Predictions and Projected Top 10
After a period of transition, the WTA has coalesced around a group of elites, and that principle governs the 2026 WTA Predictions and Projected Top 10. Names like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek have proven they will go down as some of the best to play the game. It’s still possible to have a one-off Grand Slam champion like Madison Keys, due mainly to the nature of competition in women’s sports. But that will increasingly become the exception, not the rule.
First it’s important to take stock to see what I got wrong this past year. Then we delve into the 2026 WTA predictions, just as I did for the ATP.
What I Got Wrong
I didn’t see Amanda Anisimova on the rise! Show me who did. What a comeback year for the American, who took time off for mental health in 2023. Anisimova’s baseline game isn’t my favorite style of play to watch, but when it’s this good, you can’t help but stand back and admire.
I had 4 players in the Top 10 who did not make it: Karolina Muchova, Emma Navarro, Qinwen Zheng and Barbora Krejcikova. Look, these are not bad picks. Mostly it was injuries preventing these players from ascending, with the exception of Navarro.
Keys won Australia and had a decent year after that, notwithstanding a bad loss in the opening round of the US Open and a nightmare WTA Finals where she was ill. She’s got a gallon of points to defend starting next month.
Finally, I’d picked Mirra Andreeva for the WTA Top 10 in the year prior but left her off for 2025. Wrong! My timing was a year off, but after a win at Indian Wells, I think we can all agree she’s legit.
WTA Predictions: What I Got Right
I picked Sabalenka as the number one player in the world– correct. I had the other usual suspects of Gauff, Swiatek, Pegula, Rybakina and Paolini finishing Top 10, which they did.
I wrote:
“I never know what to do with Pegula, but one senses she’ll be there. I suspect she hit a period of exhaustion this past season, but she never let on. She’s tenacious.” Pegula finished 6 with 3 titles and a gutty win over Sabalenka in Wuhan.
“Elena Rybakina has been through the fire and is still standing. I predict up-and-down moments as she continues to come to terms with her health issues– physical and mental– of the past few years. When she’s on, there’s nobody better.” Rybakina’s WTA Finals victory reminded the world of what she’s capable of. She finished the year ranked 5.
“Naomi Osaka will continue to impress in bursts, but it will be another uneven year. Which is absolutely fine. We fans will take the fireworks whenever they come.” Correct.
“Emma Raducanu will also show signs of brilliance, though inconsistently. I predict more coaching changes ahead in Emma’s camp– not exactly a bold stance by me.” Pretty much.
“With more cash from the Saudis, the WTA will finally create a marketing campaign with some creativity and flair that hits the right tone.” Incorrect, lol. Not so far. Although they did unveil a new logo and color scheme, and if you read what’s hot in digital marketing, the simplified logo is in line with what everyone else is doing. At least they’re on trend.
2026 WTA Predictions and Projected Top 10
My hunch: This is going to be a fun year for the WTA with a mini-surge in popularity. The league has been adrift since the retirement of Serena Williams. New fan bases needed time to form around some emerging stars.
Sabalenka is plated in gold. Her funny, quirky, sometimes all-to-human personality only adds to the awe of her power game on court. She’s exactly what women’s tennis needs. Similarly, Gauff is her own person with a unique playing style. Her resilience and grit position her beautifully adjacent to Sabalenka.
For Swiatek, I predict a return to greatness on clay, including a reclamation of Roland Garros. She’s solidified her coaching, and the forehand is too good.
My Top 10
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Iga Swiatek
- Coco Gauff
- Elena Rybakina
- Amanda Anisimova
- Jasmine Paolini
- Jessica Pegula
- Mirra Andreeva
- Naomi Osaka
- Victoria Mboko
My runner up for the 10 spot is Maya Joint. As for Osaka, I see this as the year she steadies herself a bit more. Again, there will be turbulence, but I envision more ups than downs.
WTA 2026 Predictions: Other Considerations
I think Sabalenka spends another year in the top spot and collects at least one slam, possibly more.
As mentioned, I predict Iga wins Roland Garros.
Andreeva has a volatile year with periods of instability, but ultimately I think she makes the year-end finals, managing her calendar correctly this time.
Players continue to battle social media pressures, including abuse from pathological gamblers, leading to some players to put down their phones altogether.
On a similar note, actions will be taken to eliminate or severely curb prop bets.
A major youth movement will envelop the WTA with players like Mboko, Joint and Iva Jovic surging both on and off the court.
And finally, I do not think Serena Williams returns in singles. That said, I could see a scenario where she joins a beloved retiring star in doubles at the US Open– and that includes MIXED doubles!
Enjoy the rest of your offseason, tennis fans.
