Smith Questions WTA Rankings After Gauff Beats World No. 1 Again
Stephen A. Smith isn’t holding back. After Coco Gauff’s thrilling comeback win over Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 French Open final, the ESPN commentator voiced his frustration with the WTA ranking system, arguing that Gauff should now be ranked No. 1.
On First Take, Smith addressed Coco Gauff directly, saying,
“Well, you just beat the No. 1 player in the world… I don’t think she should be that way now, not after this loss. It should be you.”
The 21-year-old Gauff, who also defeated Sabalenka at the 2023 U.S. Open, lifted her second career singles Grand Slam title in Paris. But despite the victory, and a $2.9 million prize, she remains ranked No. 2 behind Sabalenka. Smith believes that doesn’t make sense and has reignited the debate about how tennis rankings work.
Why Coco Gauff Isn’t No. 1—Yet
The WTA uses a rolling 52-week points system across 18 tournaments. Although Coco Gauff has beaten Sabalenka six times in 11 matches, Sabalenka’s consistent overall performance in the last year keeps her ahead with 11,553 points, compared to Gauff’s 8,082.
Still, Smith isn’t convinced. He criticized the system, arguing that head-to-head victories and Grand Slam wins should weigh more. His passionate call echoes a sentiment many fans have echoed: rankings should reflect current dominance, not just long-term consistency.
Sabalenka’s Post-Match Comments Stir More Drama
It wasn’t just the rankings Smith had a problem with. He also blasted Sabalenka’s post-match attitude, after the Belarusian said, “I think [Gauff] won the match not because she played incredible. Just because I made all of those mistakes.”
Smith fired back: “She came across as a very sore loser after she lost to you. What is up with her?”
To her credit, Gauff took the high road, attributing the comment to raw emotion. Sabalenka later admitted on Instagram that Gauff “stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect.”
Looking Ahead for Coco Gauff: Wimbledon and More
With two major singles titles and a doubles title already in 2025, Coco Gauff is on fire. Her next test? Wimbledon, where she’ll hope to continue her winning ways on grass before heading to the U.S. Open.
As for Stephen A. Smith, he’s made his stance clear: “If you beat the best, you should be the best.”
Whether the WTA listens or not, one thing is certain: Coco Gauff’s rise is impossible to ignore.
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