We had a look back at some of the biggest rankings drops on the WTA Tour, but what about the climbers? The players who have shot up the rankings for the first time, or perhaps those who have returned from injury, or time off? There are quite a lot of WTA ‘rocketing up the charts’ in 2024. Many of these players have jumped more than 50 places in the rankings. Here is part 2 of our rankings movers (check out part 1 here).
Jasmine Paolini: End of 2023 rank – 30/Current rank – 4
What a stunning year for the Italian! Jumping from No.30 to No.4 is extremely impressive. It’s actually hard to believe, but Paolini only won a single title this year (Dubai). However, reaching the final of the French Open, and Wimbledon, while making the 4th round of the other 2 Slams, elevated her into the top 5.
Emma Navarro: 38 – 8
Moving into the top 10, Navarro did it on the back of winning her first 2 titles. The 250 in Hobart, and the 125 in Paris. She also found her groove in the majors, improving with each event. From the 3rd round of the Australian Open, to the 4th in Paris, the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, and the semis of the US Open. Mark her down for a finalist berth in Melbourne this year!
Danielle Collins: 55 – 11
Knocking on the door of the top 10 again, after a flat 2023 found her outside the top 50. In what was supposed to be her swansong, Collins came out of the gates hard, winning Miami and Charleston back-to-back. Thankfully for tennis fans, she will be prolonging her career a little more in 2025, so we might see her into that top 10 soon.
Paula Badosa: 66 – 12
Coming back from injury, Badosa has somewhat snuck up the rankings quite quickly in the back half of the season. So much so, she is on the verge of the top 10 again. Winning Washington, and making semis of Cincinnati, Beijing, and Ningbo, have given her a nice springboard for the Aussie summer.
Diana Schnaider: 60 – 13
At just 20 years of age, Schnaider has had a breakout year, winning 51 matches on tour in 2024. She won 5 titles, including 4 250’s. Whether she can continue playing such a hectic schedule, only time will tell. But you get the feeling she’ll be able to choose her events more wisely now, with a ranking so close to the top 10.
Anna Kalinskaya: 77 – 14
Like Paolini, started the year off very well, and made the most of her chances, reaching the finals of Dubai and Berlin, along with having her best performance at each of the 4 Slams.
Mirra Andreeva: 46 – 16
Still only 17 years old, a 32/15 W/L record for the season, is a huge step forward for Andreeva. She won her first title in Iasi, and reached the final of Ningbo. However, reaching the semis of the French Open, showed the world of her potential for the next decade.
Katie Boulter: 58 – 23
Steady progress year on year continues for Boulter, who now finds herself just outside the top 20. Taking out the San Diego and Nottingham titles, plus ending the year with a final in Hong Kong, has given her a great platform to launch into 2025. Without much to defend in the Slams, Boulter could go much higher.
Magdalena Frech: 63 – 22
It’s taken a few seasons, but the 26-year-old Pole has launched herself into Slam seeding territory off the back of a jam-packed year, where she played 28 events. The highlight of which is clearly her first tour title in Guadalajara, and a final appearance in Prague.
Amanda Anisimova: 359 – 36
Despite the fact Anisimova has been in the top 30 before, her effort to come back from injury in 2024, despite only playing a relatively limited schedule (just 28 matches) has to be commended. Making the final of Toronto, and reaching the 4th round of the Australian Open, shows that if she gets herself fit, Anisimova can work her way towards the top 10 at some stage.
Lulu Sun: 219 – 40
A massive year for Sun, who came seemingly out of nowhere to reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. However, she had shown some good form on the ITF circuit earlier in the year. Thar ranking boost allowed her to enter bigger events, and she took advantage, by making the final of the Monterrey 500 tournament.
Don’t forget to take a look at Part 1 of our biggest WTA ranking climbers here.
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