Angelique Kerber
(October 20, 2016) The Women’s Tennis Association announced that Germany’s Angelique Kerber has clinched the 2016 WTA Year-End World No. 1 Singles Ranking.
Since the inception of computer rankings in 1975, Kerber becomes the 12th WTA player to achieve the year-end No.1 ranking and only the second German woman after Stefanie Graf, who did this a record eight times in her career.
Kerber became the oldest player to make her debut at No.1 on September 12, 2016 at 28 years-old. She has held on to the top spot for six weeks and is ensured to claim the position as the top player for the rest of the year. Serena Williams has held the year-end No.1 ranking for the past three years.
Steve Simon, WTA CEO: “Winning two Grand Slam titles, ascending as the No.1 player and holding a remarkable record all season long is a true testament to Angie’s hard work and dedication to the sport. We look forward to watching Angie continue her journey as the leading player on the WTA and the world.”
“It is a great honor and achievement to finish the year as the No.1 player in the world,” said Angelique Kerber. “This is one of the things I’ve always been dreaming of – to become No.1. I have worked extremely hard to become the best player I can be and this is a reflection of that effort and the wonderful year I have had.”
Kerber began the season by claiming her first major title at the Australian Open. She then successfully defended her title at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, advanced to the Wimbledon final, captured a silver medal in singles at the Rio Olympics, and claimed her second major title at the US Open while taking over as the World No.1 for the first time in her career.
Kerber leads the WTA for most main draw match wins this season, at 59-17, and her other highlights include reaching two finals at the Brisbane International and the Western & Southern Open – Cincinnati and the semifinals at the Miami Open, Volvo Car Open – Charleston and Rogers Cup – Montreal.
The Year-End No.1 trophy will be presented to Kerber at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore.