The 2026 Dubai Championships have influenced the WTA rankings with several players gaining points from deep runs while others dropped due to withdrawals and early exits. Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina are set to contest the final, potentially affecting their positions further. Top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek withdrew, maintaining or slightly adjusting their standings.
The 2026 Dubai Championships, a WTA 1000 event at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre, have wrapped up most matches ahead of the final on Saturday between Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina. Withdrawals and retirements marked the tournament, impacting the live WTA rankings updated before the final.
At the start on February 16, the top 10 featured Aryna Sabalenka at No. 1 with 10,870 points, Iga Swiatek at No. 2 with 7,803, and Elena Rybakina at No. 3 with 7,523. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, withdrew before the event and retains her 10,870 points since last year's third-round points were not defended. Swiatek also pulled out, dropping 150 points from her 2025 quarter-final appearance, bringing her total to 7,653 while staying at No. 2.
Rybakina retired in the third round, losing 270 points from her 2025 semi-final run, reducing her to 7,253 and widening the gap to the leaders at No. 3. Coco Gauff reached the semi-finals, adding 380 points to reach 6,803, holding No. 4. Pegula advanced to the final, gaining 530 points for 6,418 at No. 5; a win would add another 350 for 6,768, closing in on Gauff.
Amanda Anisimova made the semi-finals, up 363 points to 6,053 at No. 6. Jasmine Paolini lost her opener but rose to No. 7 with 4,047 after Mirra Andreeva dropped 785 points from her 2025 title defense, falling to 4,001 at No. 8. Svitolina's final appearance added 585 points to 3,845 at No. 9; victory would yield 4,195, potentially jumping her to No. 7. Victoria Mboko withdrew and stays at No. 10 with 3,246.
Outside the top 10, Alex Eala surged 15 places to No. 32, while Iva Jovic jumped to No. 18. Declines included Sofia Kenin dropping 14 spots to No. 44 and Paula Badosa falling 15 to No. 85.
These shifts reflect the tournament's competitive nature amid absences from top seeds.
