This is the annual post on Moo’s Tennis Blog where I have a go at predicting the season-ending top ten and Slam champions for the upcoming season. I think this was the toughest year for a while for predictions as I kept forgetting players who I wanted to add to my top ten and even now i’m not happy! You can view last year’s results here and previous predictions here. Read on for my 2026 predictions…

10. Clara Tauson: 2025 was a breakthrough season for Tauson as she scored wins over Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina and Keys. I still have a concern about Tauson’s temperament and attitude on court as she lets external factors get the better of her (see Eala USO R1). I think Tauson will remain inconsistent yet her peak level has already proven that she can beat *anyone* on a good day. I predict that Tauson will crack the world’s top ten and reach a Slam final in 2026.

9. Jessica Pegula: An ever-present in the top ten and I don’t expect that to change in 2026 because Pegula is so steady and resilient. I still don’t see Pegula winning a Slam – I think the WTA is in a strong position and Pegula would likely have to beat two of the world’s top five to triumph which is an unenviable task.

8. Victoria Mboko: Another newbie in my top ten as i’m going for Mboko to continue her rapid progression. Mboko’s run to the title in Montreal was unbelievable and she demonstrated it was no fluke as she won the title in Hong Kong later in the year. Mboko seems to have a good head on her shoulders and a very secure game that doesn’t look likely to break down. I think Mboko will break into the world’s top ten and reach the second week at multiple Slams including a semi-final appearance somewhere.

7: Karolina Muchova: I will die on this hill! I’ve gone a bit lower in the top ten for Muchova this year because I do have to consider that she is made of glass. Still, I will repeat what I say every year. Muchova has such a versatile game with lots of variety that always reminds me of Barty. If she can stay fit and healthy then she will be competing for Slams. Once again, i’m going for Muchova to win a Slam (i’m staying committed after I pulled back on my AA prediction last year!) and i’ll go for the US Open where she has been remarkably consistent, reaching at least the quarter-finals in the last three years.

6. Amanda Anisimova: I’m still cursing that I didn’t have Anisimova in my top ten last year having gone all in a few years ago! I see Anisimova staying in the top ten, perhaps a little down on 2025, but I think the highs will be higher and the experience that she gained throughout 2025 will be invaluable. I’m going for Anisimova to win a Slam in 2026, perhaps right off the bat at the Australian Open?

5. Mirra Andreeva: I’m going to discount the second half of 2025 where I think Andreeva was bothered by injuries and simply ran out of gas. During the first half of 2025, Andreeva was very consistent and peaked in the Spring when she beat Rybakina, Swiatek and Sabalenka to win Indian Wells. Like Tauson, I still have concerns over Andreeva’s temperament. I predict that Andreeva will come out refreshed in 2026 and continue to show lots of improvements in her game. I’m going for Andreeva to crack the world’s top five and reach her first Slam final.

4. Coco Gauff: I have frequently underestimated Gauff and i’ve probably done it again, even at four! She is a fascinating player because I find that most of the time I watch Coco, she’s not playing well, or struggling with something. However, her grit, determination and sheer doggedness wins her so many matches. I don’t have Gauff winning a Slam in 2026 (been hosed by this before) but surely she’s going to be there or thereabouts and win a shedload of matches.

3. Elena Rybakina: I’ve gone big on Rybakina for the past two years and it hasn’t quite come to fruition. I’m always wary of going for the WTA Finals champion to win in Australia but it’s hard to look past Rybakina as one of the main contenders for the title. There’s still a nagging doubt from some of Rybakina’s losses in 2025 where she kept on coming up short and didn’t convert on winning positions. As it stands, I don’t have Rybakina winning a Slam, but I think she’s going to go deep at all of them.

2. Iga Swiatek: I was so bamboozled by Swiatek’s year that I have no idea what to expect in 2026! I see Swiatek challenging for all the Slams and the world number one spot. I guess it will be more of a regulation year for Swiatek and I predict she will regain her crown at Roland Garros.

1. Aryna Sabalenka: For the second straight year, i’m going for Sabalenka to finish at the top of the tree. Sabalenka had so many tough losses in 2025 – Australian Open final, Indian Wells final, Roland Garros final, Wimbledon semi-final and WTA Finals final to name a few. The overwhelming reaction is that she was resilient and relentless, kept on coming back, and eventually got there at the Slams by winning the US Open. Sabalenka’s consistency at the Slams is underrated – she has reached at least the semi-finals at 10 of the last 11 Slams. I think Sabalenka will inch closer to the career Slam in 2026 by finally winning Wimbledon.

Best of the rest:

Linda Noskova: I wanted Noskova in my top ten but it was a decision between Noskova and Tauson! Still not sure about Noskova’s week-to-week consistency. I think Noskova will reach at least one Slam quarter-final in 2026. Top 12.

Jasmine Paolini: I couldn’t fit Paolini in my top ten! Again, it’s likely I have underestimated Paolini. I still think beating the top five and reaching the latter stages of the Slams will be a challenge going forward. Top 12.

Madison Keys: This one hurts. I do see Keys having a less fruitful year with injuries being an issue. Defending the points down under will be a tough start to 2026. Still hopeful Keys will break the quarter-final barrier at Wimby! Top 15.

Naomi Osaka: I was so thrilled to see Osaka finally make a breakthrough in her comeback through the latter half of 2025. I’m really on the fence on what to expect from Osaka for 2026. I still feel clay and grass are a challenging section of the tour for Osaka which is ultimately why I didn’t have her higher. Top 15.

Emma Raducanu: Made positive strides in 2025 and I think will keep steadily keep climbing up the rankings. Top 20.

McCartney Kessler: One of the most improved players in 2025 and love her game and willingness to attack. I think Kessler will continue to climb. Top 20.

Janice Tjen: First watched Tjen at the US Open and was not surprised to see her go on a tear through September and October. Her game is supposedly modelled on Barty – i’m surprised more players haven’t added a slice to their weaponery. One to watch. Top 20.

Eva Lys: Really impressed with Lys’s consistency in 2025. Starting to believe she can compete with the best players in the world. Will be seeded at the Slams soon. Top 25.

Tereza Valentova: The Czechs keep on coming. Valentova to keep rising up the rankings. Top 30.

Alexandra Eala: If Eala can improve her serve then I think she’s a future top tenner. Baseline game and attitude will take Eala far anyway. Top 30.

Jen Brady: My prediction for WTA Comeback of the year in 2026. Top 75.

Lilli Tagger: My prediction for WTA Newcomer of the year in 2026. Top 100.

Slam Predictions:

Australian Open: Anisimova

French Open: Swiatek

Wimbledon: Sabalenka

US Open: Muchova