List of WTA Number 1 Ranked Players - Points Distribution

Points Distribution

Each week, the Women's Tennis Association releases a ranking of each player's performance in singles and doubles on the women's professional tennis tour. A player's ranking points are based on the highest round she reached in each tournament ("round points"). The following table gives the distribution of "round points" for 2010.

"+H" indicates that Hospitality is provided.

A player must be at least 14 years old to appear in the rankings. If a player who is 14, 15, 16, or 17 years old plays singles or doubles in a tournament that exceeds the number permitted to be played under the WTA's age eligibility rule, then that tournament and the points acquired during play will not be counted for purposes of that player's ranking.

A player must earn ranking points in at least three valid tournaments to appear in the rankings.

A player is awarded ranking points for the highest round she reaches. In a tournament with prize money of at least $25,000: (1) a qualifier earns main draw ranking points based on the highest round reached in the main draw plus the ranking points specified in the qualifier column of the above ranking table; and (2) a lucky loser earns main draw ranking points based on the highest round reached in the main draw, unless she loses in the first round of the main draw in which case she receives only the ranking points earned in qualifying. In a tournament with prize money less than $25,000: (1) no qualifying ranking points are awarded to a qualifier or lucky loser; (2) a qualifier who loses in the first round of the main draw is awarded only the points specified in the qualifier column of the above ranking table; (3) a qualifier who loses after the first round of the main draw is awarded points based on the highest round reached in the main draw plus the ranking points specified in the qualifier column of the above ranking table; and (4) a lucky loser earns only main draw ranking points based on the highest round reached in the main draw.

A doubles team is awarded ranking points for the highest round they reach. A lucky loser who loses in the main draw earns only main draw ranking points.

A player's cumulative point total is calculated on a weekly basis, counting only tournaments played within the last 52 weeks. Not more than 16 singles tournaments and 11 doubles tournaments count. The results used to determine a players ranking are those yielding the highest ranking points during the last 52 weeks, except that a player's ranking points from the following tournaments must be included: Grand Slam tournaments, Premier Mandatory tournaments, the Sony Ericsson Championships, and the best two Premier 5 tournament results for top ten players. (There are complicated rules concerning this last category of tournaments.)

Each player who qualifies by ranking for acceptance into the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament, a Premier Mandatory tournament, or the Sony Ericsson Championships is entered automatically into the tournament. The ranking points earned by the player in the tournament must count on her ranking as one of her best 16 tournament results. A player who is accepted into the main draw of a preceding tournament or who is an automatic entry in the tournament automatically receives zero ranking points for the tournament if she subsequently withdraws from the tournament. That tournament must count as one of her best 16 tournament results. Any top ten player who fails to play in a Premier 5 or Premier $700,000 commitment tournament automatically receives zero ranking points for the tournament. That tournament also must count as one of her best 16 tournament results. Any "marquee player" (as defined in the WTA rules) who fails to play in a Premier $700,000 commitment tournament automatically receives zero ranking points for the tournament. That tournament also must count as one of her best 16 tournament results.

If a player or team withdraws from a tournament before playing her/their first match, then the tournament does not count on her/their record, with the exception of automatic main draw entry tournaments and commitment tournaments for top ten and marquee players. A player who qualifies for but is unable to play the main draw for any reason receives last round qualifier points.

If a doubles team withdraws in any round after the first round, then their ranking points are calculated per the round they withdrew less 50% of the difference between that round and the previous round. In addition, the player causing the withdrawal forfeits the other 50% of her ranking points; however, if she does not play in a tennis event the following week, she may apply to the WTA for reistatement of the forfeited points.

For purposes of awarding ranking points, in each ITF tournament with prize money of at least $50,000, the round-of-32 is considered to be the first round of qualifying and all rules apply as if that were the first round of play. The WTA awards ranking points in qualifying starting in the round-of-32, and play in any prior round is not considered as having taken place for ranking purposes.

If a player or team receives one or more consecutive byes and loses her/their first played match, then first round losers' points are awarded. If a player or team receives one or more consecutive byes and withdraws from her/their first match, then no ranking points are awarded and the tournament does not count on her/their record.

If a player or team receives a walkover in the first round and there is no alternate or lucky loser to take the spot, then she/they receive ranking points from the round preceding her/their elimination. If a player or team receives a walkover in a subsequent round without having yet played a match, then she/they receive ranking points from the round preceding her/their elimination. A player or team who receives a walkover in any round except the first round after having played and won a match is awarded ranking points for the walkover from her/their opponent.

A player or team who receives a wild card is awarded the same ranking points as any other player or team.

If two or more players have the same number of ranking points, then the tie is broken according to the following priorities: (1) the player with the most combined total points from Grand Slam tournaments, Premier Mandatory tournaments, Premier 5 tournaments, and the Sony Ericsson Championships; (2) the player with the most total points from all tournaments, including the Sony Ericsson Championships; (3) the player with the fewest number of tournaments during the last 52-weeks (including any mandatory tournaments if the player qualified for acceptance); and (4) the highest number of points from one single tournament, then if needed, the second highest and so on.

Source: "Sony Ericsson WTA Tour 2010 Official Rulebook". wtatennis.com. http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/AboutTheTour/rules.pdf. Retrieved February 6, 2010.