How Can Serena Williams Re-enter the Top 10 of WTA Rankings Ahead of Australian Open 2021?

Serena Williams has found herself lurking just outside the Top-10 of the WTA rankings right now. Since November 16th, 2020, Serena has been ranked 11th, but now she has a chance to re-enter the Top-10 of the WTA rankings ahead of Australian Open 2021.

Serena ended her 2020 season early and some below-par performances contributed to her exiting the list. But now, as the 2021 season has begun with new tournaments, there are some handy points in the offering for Serena. Serena is playing at the WTA 500 event, Yarra Valley Classic, also known as WTA Melbourne 1.

Could Serena Williams start Australian Open 2021 ranked inside the Top-10 of WTA rankings?

Serena is ranked 11th and is behind 10th placed Kiki Bertens. To Serena’s advantage, Bertens will not play in Australia. She is injured and thus isn’t in Australia to play either of the WTA 500 events or the Australian Open.

So Serena now has 4080 points whereas Bertens has 4505 points. Bertens is 425 points ahead of Serena Williams. For Serena, there are 470 points in the offering. The winner of a WTA 500 event wins 470 points, thus if Serena triumphs at Yarra Valley Classic she will cross Bertens to be ranked 10th before the Aussie Open begins on 8th February.

If Serena fails to win the Yarra Valley Classic, she will have to wait for the Australian Open to earn points. But with good results at both the tournaments, Serena can move further than 10th. Serena was ousted from the Australian Open 2020 in the 3rd round itself, thus motivating her to earn more points in 2021.

But at WTA Melbourne 1, many other high-profile players headline the draw. World No.1 Ash Barty, Reigning Australian Open champ Sofia Kenin, etc are the top seeds at the draw and will challenge Serena for the title.

It has been a long time since Serena last appeared in the Top-5 of the WTA rankings. Serena has been far from the summit of the rankings and re-entering the Top-10 is a good step towards breaking the hoodoo.

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