Defending champion Iga Swiatek faces a pivotal moment at this year’s Mutua Madrid Open. For the first time since March 2022, she risks falling below the No. 2 ranking if she falls short of a deep run at the WTA 1000 event in Spain. While winning the title would guarantee she stays at No. 2, anything less could open the door for Jessica Pegula or Coco Gauff to overtake her.
Last year, Swiatek delivered a thrilling performance in the Madrid final, saving three match points to defeat Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 4-6 7-6(7). It was a moment of sweet revenge after losing to Sabalenka in the 2023 final. Sabalenka first overtook Swiatek for the No. 1 ranking in September 2023, and although Swiatek briefly reclaimed it, she now finds herself trailing again — and at risk of sliding even further down the rankings.
Currently ranked No. 2, Swiatek sits more than 3,000 points behind top-ranked Sabalenka. The pressure is mounting from behind: Jessica Pegula trails Swiatek by 1,175 points, while Coco Gauff is 1,310 points back. The Madrid champion earns 1000 points and takes home €985,030.
Swiatek has not been ranked outside the Top 2 since the 2022 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where she was world No. 4. That streak could end depending on her Madrid performance and the results of Pegula and…
