The dust has settled in Rome, and with the Italian Open now behind us, the WTA rankings have undergone some dramatic reshuffling. From Coco Gauff’s triumphant return to World No. 2 to Iga Swiatek’s surprising drop, and Emma Raducanu and Alex Eala quietly climbing back into form — the latest WTA Rankings Italian Open update paints a vivid picture of shifting momentum on the women’s tour.
Let’s break down the winners and losers from this rankings shake-up following a week of sun-soaked clay-court drama in Rome.
Winner: Coco Gauff – Back at World No. 2
Coco Gauff’s resurgence has officially reached another milestone. With a semi-final run at the Italian Open — capped off by a gritty three-set win over Mirra Andreeva — Gauff has overtaken Aryna Sabalenka to reclaim the No. 2 spot in the WTA rankings.
The American teenager, who turned 20 earlier this year, is now within striking distance of becoming the new World No. 1, depending on results at Roland Garros. Her 2025 clay season has been a display of growth: steady baseline play, improved shot selection, and mental resilience under pressure.
Key stats:
- Current Ranking: No. 2 (+1)
- Points Earned: 390
- Career-High Ranking: No. 2 (equaled)
What’s fueling this surge? Her collaboration with coaches Brad Gilbert and Jean-Christophe Faurel seems to be maturing into a formidable partnership. Her movement and serve placement — often criticized in the past — have evolved, making her one of the most consistent players this season.
On social media, Gauff’s fans are already buzzing: #CocoClimbing trended briefly after the WTA update went live, with fans celebrating her grit and hard-court-to-clay adaptability.
Loser: Iga Swiatek – Unexpected Rankings Dip Despite Strong Form
Yes, you read that right. While Iga Swiatek dominated the Italian Open on court — sweeping the title without dropping a set — her ranking took a small but noticeable dip due to points distribution from last year’s results. Despite the Roman crown, her massive point defense burden from 2024’s dominant season meant that she still lost ground to Gauff, at least temporarily.
Current Ranking: No. 1 (unchanged)
Points Margin Over No. 2 (Gauff): Narrowing
It’s a strange twist of fate that the best player of the tournament could still be listed as a “loser” in rankings math. But this is WTA tennis — and consistency on tour isn’t just about titles, but defending them at the right time.
Swiatek is still the heavy favorite at Roland Garros, and if she lifts that trophy again, the rankings gap will likely widen in her favor. But for now, the pressure is on, and every point counts.
Winner: Emma Raducanu – Back in the Top 100
Emma Raducanu’s story has taken a fresh, optimistic turn. After enduring months of rehab, public scrutiny, and fluctuating form, the 2021 US Open champion has climbed back into the WTA Top 100 for the first time since 2023.
Her Italian Open run included a gutsy three-set victory over Elise Mertens and a respectable performance against World No. 8 Ons Jabeur. Most importantly, she’s showing glimpses of the shot tolerance and aggression that made her a breakout star.
Current Ranking: No. 96 (+27)
Points Earned in Rome: 130
What makes Raducanu’s rise especially compelling is the buzz it’s generating across both traditional tennis media and online platforms. Twitter threads, TikTok highlight reels, and even fashion accounts are embracing her comeback.
This return also means she won’t need wildcards for future main draws — including Wimbledon and the US Open — a key mental and logistical win for the Brit.
Loser: Aryna Sabalenka – Drops to No. 3
Aryna Sabalenka had a solid, if unspectacular, showing in Rome. But in the high-stakes game of WTA rankings, “solid” isn’t always enough. Her quarterfinal loss to Victoria Azarenka cost her valuable points and ultimately her hold on the World No. 2 position.
Current Ranking: No. 3 (-1)
Points Lost: 190
The Belarusian remains a major force on tour, especially with her lethal serve and baseline aggression. However, inconsistency on clay — and a growing number of rivals adjusting to her power game — has raised questions ahead of Paris.
Fans online have begun speculating whether Sabalenka is conserving energy for the Grand Slam push, or if she’s experiencing burnout after back-to-back seasons of Top 3-level tennis. Either way, her ranking drop makes her potential Roland Garros path much tougher.
Winner: Alex Eala – Cracks the Top 150
Filipina teen sensation Alex Eala continues to turn heads with her quiet but consistent rise. After notching a main-draw win at the Italian Open and pushing former Top 30 player Clara Tauson to three sets, Eala has now broken into the WTA Top 150 for the first time in her career.
Current Ranking: No. 147 (+21)
Career-High Ranking: Achieved this week
Eala’s upward climb is powered by her growing confidence on clay and relentless baseline grind. What’s more, she’s gaining traction in both Southeast Asian and global tennis circles. Her matches are now being streamed and highlighted across major sports pages in the Philippines, fueling a growing legion of fans.
Many believe that with a wildcard into the Roland Garros qualifiers, she could be on track to break into the Top 100 before the end of the year.
Loser: Caroline Garcia – Continues to Slide
Caroline Garcia’s woes continued in Rome, where she suffered a first-round exit at the hands of a qualifier. Once ranked inside the Top 5, Garcia’s game has faltered across all surfaces in recent months.
Current Ranking: No. 30 (-7)
2025 Win-Loss Record: 8–12
Her inability to sustain rallies and a drop in first-serve percentage has exposed holes in her aggressive playing style. Worse yet, the losses are starting to come from players ranked outside the Top 100 — not a good sign with Roland Garros just around the corner.
Social Media Buzz: What Fans Are Saying
- @CocoGauffFanClub: “Back where she belongs — World No. 2! Coco’s clay season is cooking 🔥 #WTA #ItalianOpen”
- @EmmaIsBack: “Raducanu top 100 again?! Let’s goooo! Can’t wait for Wimbledon 🇬🇧 #EmmaRaducanu”
- @PinoyTennisUpdates: “Alex Eala Top 150! Step by step, she’s proving she belongs 💪🇵🇭”
- @WTAStatsKing: “Swiatek wins the tournament but Gauff gains ground… Rankings math is wild #WTA”
The online narrative around the WTA rankings has never been more energized. Players like Raducanu and Eala offer compelling comeback arcs, while Gauff’s meteoric consistency has made her one of the sport’s leading faces. And with Roland Garros looming, the stage is perfectly set for more twists and turns.
Final Thoughts: The Road to Roland Garros
The WTA Rankings Italian Open update is more than just numbers — it’s a roadmap to what fans can expect in the coming weeks. Coco Gauff’s rise makes the Top 3 race fascinating. Swiatek’s slight stumble is more strategic than alarming. Raducanu and Eala’s climbs hint at a broader youth movement taking hold. And Sabalenka’s slip reminds us how unforgiving this sport can be, even at the top.
As the women’s tour sets its sights on Paris, every ranking point will matter. And if Rome was any indication, fans should buckle up — the clay-court ride isn’t over yet.
