Coco Gauff snubbed, Iga Swiatek picked instead by Serena Williams' ex-coach for 2026 WTA dominance

Serena Williams's former coach, Rick Macci, has chosen Iga Swiatek over Coco Gauff and others to reign atop the rankings for a long time in 2026. Aryna Sabalenka dislodged Swiatek from the summit towards the end of last year, and has remained as the No. 1 player since then.

Macci, who coached Williams during the early stages of her career, believes that a different scenario could unfold in 2026. While Sabalenka remained on top throughout 2025, her rivals, such as Swiatek, Gauff, and even Mirra Andreeva, could threaten her position as the top-ranked player.

Macci took to social media, and proclaimed that despite a strong list of contenders, Swiatek is his pick to retake the No. 1 ranking. As per him, she could achieve the same before the start of May.

"The number one spot on the TOUR will be a jump ball next year. Sab Iga Coco Mirra all have a shot. But my pick to become number one and shine in the sun is the Polish Punisher. She is proven she will be groovin and movin. At the end of the day she will get there before May @WTA," Macci wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The No. 1 ranking changed hands quite often between 2017 and 2018. Ashleigh Barty's rise to the top ushered in an era of consistency. She commenced her second innings atop the rankings leaderboard in September 2019, and held on to her position until she retired after winning the Australian Open 2022. Only two more players have ascended to the top of the rankings since then.

---

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are the only players to reign as No. 1 for the past 3 years

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek at the Qatar Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

When Ashleigh Barty announced her surprise retirement in March 2022, one expected the tour to descend into chaos. However, fears of a vacuum created by her absence were unfounded. Iga Swiatek deservedly replaced the Aussie atop the rankings as the new World No. 1.

Barty took some time to convey her retirement following her triumph at the Australian Open. During this period, Swiatek kicked off her incredible 37-match winning streak. Her victory at the Miami Open resulted in her coronation as the World No. 1 for the first time in her career.

Swiatek's debut reign lasted for 75 weeks. She was dethroned by Aryna Sabalenka in September 2023, following her runner-up finish at the US Open and the Pole's failure to defend her title. Sabalenka's rule lasted for only eight weeks, and Swiatek was back on top once again in November.

Swiatek held on to the top spot for 50 more weeks, and was replaced by Sabalenka once again in October 2024. The latter has remained atop the summit since then. She is guaranteed to remain as the World No. 1 until the end of the Australian Open 2026. An early exit by Sabalenka coupled with Swiatek's victory in Melbourne could result in them swapping positions yet again.

Edited by Rohit