The 2020 season could turn worse for Serena Williams. The American’s season ended after an Achilles injury at the 2020 French Open. As she called off her 2020 season a month ago, she left her WTA ranking in a very vulnerable state.

With the WTA Linz Open scheduled this week, 11th ranked Aryna Sabalenka now has a chance to replace Serena in the top 10 WTA rankings.

At the moment, Serena is ranked 10th with 4080 points, and Sabalenka is ranked 11th with 4045 points. Linz Open is a WTA International Tournament, and Sabalenka joins the main draw as the top seed. She can gain a full 280 points from the tournament.

What is the point gap between Aryna Sabalenka and Serena Williams in the WTA rankings?

The gap between Sabalenka and Serena is a mere 35 points. A run to the quarterfinals in Linz will ensure a top 10 finish for Sabalenka and push Serena out of the top 10. Linz Open has a 32 player draw so with two wins, Sabalenka will finish the year inside the top 10.

Sabalenka will first face 99th ranked Jasmine Paolini. Furthermore, she finds herself with an easier draw, placing her in a prime position to at least break into the top 10.

Sabalenka finds herself in this position owing to a strong performance at the Ostrava Open a few weeks back. Beating Coco Gauff and Victoria Azarenka en route the title, she earned 470 points.

Recent ranking slump from Serena

For Serena, things will get more frustrating. If she is eclipsed by Sabalenka, then it will be the third time in the last four years that she will end the season outside the top 10.

2017 saw her take a break due to her pregnancy which dropped her to 22nd in the rankings. But since 2018, she hasn’t won a single Grand Slam.

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Although she has reached four finals since 2018, Serena has lost all of them. These inconsistent and sub-par performances have kept her in the fringes of the top 10.

A top-five or the World No.1 spot is now a far-fetched thought for Serena. She will have to work on her fitness. Constant injuries since coming back from childbirth have hurdled her Grand Slam bids.

Do you think Serena will again rise up the ladder in 2021?

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