2026 WTA News & Gossip

[MargaretMcAleer]

Updated Top Ten 8 seeds WTA1000 Dubai, after Sabalenka (1) and Swaitek (2) have just withdrawn.
1. Rybakina
2. Anisimova
3. Gauff
4. Pegula
5. Andreeva
6. Paolini
7. Svitolina
8. Alexandrova

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The main draw for WTA1000 Dubai will be made Saturday 14th Feburary at 1pm local time

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

New WTA Top Ten, Monday 16th February,

1. Sabalenka 10,990
2. Swaitek 7,803
3. Rybakina 7,523
4. Gauff 6,423 (+1)
5. Pegula 5,953 (+1)
6. Anisimova 5,690 (-2)
7. Andreeva 4,786
8. Paolini 4,157
9. Svitolina 3,260
10. Mboko 3,246 (+3)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

New Career Highs on WTA Top 100, Monday 16th February

10. Mboko
42. Valentova
74. Selekhmetova

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Beatrix Haddad Maia has announced that she and long time coach Rafael Paciaroni have parted. The announcement comes during a very shaky patch for the 29 yo, who has struggled to find momentum lately, managing just one win in her last six matches.Haddad Maia has yet to announce a new coach

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The WTA has announced a Tour Architecture Council which will be led by Jessica Pegula. The goal is to develop meaningful improvements to the calendar as early as 2027.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Jasmine Paolini takes a wild card into WTA500 Merida, Mexico, probably not happy with her current form in 2026

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Further to my post regarding Jess Pegula will chair the WTA's new Tour Architecture Council delivering calendar reforms as early as 2027. WTA chair Valerie Camillo launched the initiative after No 1 Sabalenka and No 2 Swiatek both withdrew from Dubai, with 8 additional pull outs and 4 mid match retirements ( including No 1 seed Rybakina) amplifying concerns about schedules sustainability. Other players reps include Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sakkari, Katie Volynets and umpire Anja Vreg.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Not surprisingly, Venus Williams has been awarded a wild card into IW in both singles and doubles

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

ATX Open wild cards,
Venus Williams
Bianca Andreescu
Taylor Townsend
Mary Stoiana (USA)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This is Sad,
Sloane Stephens just posted on her instragram page on social media.,
" Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage.With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time.Thank you for your loved, understanding and continued support".

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Today, Serena has been reinstated. I wonder if we could see her doing some doubles maybe complete the boxed set and get mixed for AO and the FO.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Today, Serena has been reinstated. I wonder if we could see her doing some doubles maybe complete the boxed set and get mixed for AO and the FO.

Hi Sunday
There were rumors that Serena could join Venus at IW playing doubles,, as Venus was given a wild card in singles and doubles? though Vee is playing doubles with Leylah Fernandez
Personally I think Serena should play doubles tournaments before she plays a GS tournament

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

According to the ATX Open, Austin, Jess Pegula will play WTA250 event, despite the turnaround ( after winning WTA1000 Dubai), will most likely play her R1 match on Tuesday, to open her title defence in Austin

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Hi Sunday
There were rumors that Serena could join Venus at IW playing doubles,, as Venus was given a wild card in singles and doubles? though Vee is playing doubles with Leylah Fernandez
Personally I think Serena should play doubles tournaments before she plays a GS tournament

I could see her starting in a place like Miami with Venus. She loves that tournament.

 

[tented]

I could see her starting in a place like Miami with Venus. She loves that tournament.

That would be quite a test for Serena. The heat and humidity are legendary.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

That would be quite a test for Serena. The heat and humidity are legendary.

I don't think she would start with singles. I think this would be to play doubles with Venus. I think she would start smaller if she was trying to play singles.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

WTA New Career Highs Top 100, Monday 23rd February,

18. Jovic
30. Wang Xin
32. Eala
33. Cristian
37. Tjen
51. Ruzic
70. Oliynkova
99. Kraus

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Tara Morre has filed a $20 million law suit against the WTA after receiving a suspension, claiming the failed test was caused by consuming meat contaminated with steriods

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Darren Cahill announced that he will be traveling to Romania 9 ( June 13) to attend Simona Halep's retirement ceremony at the Sports Festival in Cluj-Napoca