Ash Barty, as great as she is, I don’t see her as being on top for 154 consecutive weeks...

[Tennis_dude101]

Pam Shriver is predicting Ash Barty loosing her No 1 position, based on her current form I don't see it happening.

Shriver’s take: “Actually, I think there will be a new No.1. I’m not exactly sure whom, but I think Ash has had a great run and I think it could be somebody in the Top 5.

“I’m looking at the points, and I think the most likely one is Garbiñe Muguruza. It could be Aryna Sabalenka, if she buries those demons. It wasn’t just what Garbiñe showed at Guadalajara, but she and [coach] Conchita [Martinez] have developed a solid partnership. I feel she’s underachieved in the last couple of years, but I think the second half of 2021 she started to show more of the promise that took her to a French and a Wimbledon title. I’m looking at Ash’s lead and it’s not insignificant.
“Here’s the thing: After the US Open, Ash lost to Shelby Rogers and then she shut down her year. So if she wanted to chase the year-end ranking – and who knows where the WTA is going to go after the US Open with China for the moment out of play – let’s say it’s something that makes sense for Ash. Certainly, she’s got no points falling off after that.

“But I feel like Ash Barty, as great as she is, I don’t see her as being on top for 154 consecutive weeks. She’s so solid, but I just think someone else is going to step up.”

 

[Deleted member 788697]

Barty can gain huge points at the AO and US Open, and she's very confident on hardcourt and many would have assumed she'd win a hardcourt slam before winning RG or Wimbledon.
She's the best multi-surface player, and has a big edge over the field for that reason.

 

[Steffi-forever]

With all due respect, her weeks and year end #1 in 2020 were ridiculous. 1 title (WTA500), 1 slam SF and 11-3 match record.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

154 consecutive weeks is a huge ask, she’s currently on 74 consecutive so that’s over 1.5 years more of number 1. However, she doesn’t look to be losing the top spot anytime soon.
With her title win yesterday she now has a 2,200 lead over #2 Sabalenka with both sharing similar points to defend at the AO. Barty has no real points to defend til the Miami Open and Stuttgart in late March/April. Additionally, she lost in the 2R at RG so has the chance to pick up huge points, she’s a former champ so can go very far. Given Sabalenka served I think 18 double faults in her Adelaide straights set loss and Muguruza hasn’t started her year, not sure what Shriver is thinking that they’ll skyrocket ahead of Barty who has just won a title beating epic players by the way.