Aryna Sabalenka begins her 50th career week ranked No. 1 on the WTA Tour, a significant milestone achieved without participating in this year’s Montreal tournament. These 50 weeks at the summit of women’s tennis come across two distinct periods: an initial eight-week run from September 11 to November 5, 2023, and a current streak of 42 consecutive weeks since October 21, 2024.

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, is the 14th player in WTA history to reach the 50-week threshold at No. 1 since the rankings were introduced in 1973. Currently, she holds a commanding lead with 12,420 ranking points, sitting 4,751 points clear of second-placed Coco Gauff, who has 7,669 points.

With title defenses looming at Cincinnati and the US Open worth a combined 3,000 points, Sabalenka looks poised to maintain her top ranking through the summer hard-court season, which begins later this week in Cincinnati.

This week also marks Sabalenka’s 200th career week inside the WTA’s Top 5 rankings. She initially entered the elite group on May 10, 2021, following her first Madrid title, and this current stretch is her longest ongoing tenure in the Top 5. Notably, she has spent 149 of these 200 weeks ranked within the Top 2.

The North American hard court swing, anchored by ATP and WTA Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Montreal respectively, is an essential precursor to the US Open. This summer’s tournaments have raised more questions than answers about home court advantage and player readiness.

In Washington, D.C., a tournament steeped in history and significance for American players, the expected home boost was conspicuously absent. Frances Tiafoe, a local favorite, entered the competition feeling “locked in” and highly motivated, yet was ultimately defeated by fellow American Ben Shelton. Venus Williams, making a notable comeback at age 45, expressed her passion for playing on U.S. soil, but American men and women alike struggled to progress deep into the draw. Top seeds Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro exited in early rounds, while Leylah Fernandez from Canada claimed the women’s title.

The Canadian Open’s early rounds have also defied traditional expectations regarding home advantage. Canadian stars Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime failed to advance far, with surprising performances from young wild cards and lower seeds. On the women’s side, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko impressed by defeating top seed Coco Gauff, but overall Canadian women recorded just three wins, including veteran performances by Bianca Andreescu and Eugenie Bouchard.

Several players commented on the peculiar behavior of the Wilson US Open balls, which some described as “very fast” and difficult to control, influencing a higher rate of double faults and erratic play. Taylor Fritz highlighted the challenge, stating, “These are for sure the hardest balls to control that we play with all year.”

Looking ahead, the return of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Cincinnati adds a compelling dynamic. Both men have proven records at this stage of the season and carry heavy expectations following their Roland Garros encounter. Analysts continue to debate their potential invincibility, but fatigue and surface conditions may level the field as the US Open approaches.

Iga Swiatek stands as the leading contender on the women’s side, showcasing dominant form in Montreal before a tough loss to Clara Tauson. Her adaptation to the speedier balls and courts will be crucial as she aims to maintain momentum.

As the final Grand Slam of the season draws near, players and fans alike must temper their enthusiasm with pragmatism, acknowledging the unique challenges posed by conditions and competition in this critical stretch.

Since the modern ATP Tour began in 1990, five male players have distinguished themselves by winning 25 or more of the sport’s most prestigious titles. These “big titles” encompass victories at Grand Slam tournaments, Masters 1000 events, the ATP Finals, and the Olympic Games.

Andre Agassi, a former world No. 1, collected 27 big titles. His notable achievements include eight Grand Slams and a rare Career Grand Slam, a feat accomplished by only five men in the Open Era. Agassi also won 17 Masters events, the 1996 Olympic gold medal, and the ATP Finals in 1990.

Pete Sampras, another American legend and former world No. 1, won 30 big titles between 1990 and 2002. Nearly half of those came in Grand Slam tournaments, with 14 major titles to his name. Sampras added 11 Masters titles and five ATP Finals trophies to his impressive resume.

Roger Federer ranks third with 54 major titles. The Swiss secured 20 Grand Slam singles championships, became the third man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam, and claimed 28 Masters 1000 titles. He also captured six ATP Finals titles but never an Olympic singles gold medal.

Rafael Nadal, who retired at the end of 2024, won 59 big titles. His haul includes 22 Grand Slams and a remarkable 36 Masters 1000 wins. Nadal never won the ATP Finals but did earn Olympic singles gold in Beijing 2008.

Leading the group is Novak Djokovic, whose record-breaking 72 big titles surpass Nadal’s count by 13. Djokovic holds the men’s record for Grand Slam victories with 24 and an unprecedented 40 Masters 1000 titles. He also has seven ATP Finals titles and completed his collection with Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games. At 38, Djokovic is poised to extend his legacy further in future tournaments.