2021 in Review December 22, 2021

Photos: 2021's biggest ranking rises into the season-ending Top 50

Led by Emma Raducanu, here's a look at the players in the Top 50 who made the biggest leaps from 2020 to 2021.

Emma Raducanu made the biggest jump in the year-end rankings from 2020 to 2021 among players in the Top 50. The US Open champion finished 2020 ranked No.343, but soared 324 places to No.19 by the end of this season. — 01 /10

Emma Raducanu made the biggest jump in the year-end rankings from 2020 to 2021 among players in the Top 50. The US Open champion finished 2020 ranked No.343, but soared 324 places to No.19 by the end of this season.

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Danish teenager Clara Tauson rose 108 spots, from No.152 to No.44. Tauson won her first two WTA singles titles in 2021, at Lyon and Luxembourg. — 02 /10

Danish teenager Clara Tauson rose 108 spots, from No.152 to No.44. Tauson won her first two WTA singles titles in 2021, at Lyon and Luxembourg.

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Viktorija Golubic improved 94 places, from No.137 to No.43. This year, the Swiss reached two WTA singles finals, made the Wimbledon quarterfinals and won an Olympic silver medal in doubles. — 03 /10

Viktorija Golubic improved 94 places, from No.137 to No.43. This year, the Swiss reached two WTA singles finals, made the Wimbledon quarterfinals and won an Olympic silver medal in doubles.

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Liudmila Samsonova jumped 88 spots, from No.127 to No.39. The Russian particularly excelled on grass in 2021, winning her first WTA singles title in Berlin and reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon. — 04 /10

Liudmila Samsonova jumped 88 spots, from No.127 to No.39. The Russian particularly excelled on grass in 2021, winning her first WTA singles title in Berlin and reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon.

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Tereza Martincova rose 72 places, from No.120 to No.48. The Czech made her first WTA singles final this year, on home soil in Prague. — 05 /10

Tereza Martincova rose 72 places, from No.120 to No.48. The Czech made her first WTA singles final this year, on home soil in Prague.

Jimmie48/WTA

Leylah Fernandez shot up 64 spots, from No.88 to No.24. This year, the Canadian teen won her first WTA singles title in Monterrey and reached her first Grand Slam final at the US Open. — 06 /10

Leylah Fernandez shot up 64 spots, from No.88 to No.24. This year, the Canadian teen won her first WTA singles title in Monterrey and reached her first Grand Slam final at the US Open.

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Paula Badosa improved 62 spots, from No.70 to No.8. In 2021, the Spaniard won her first two WTA singles titles, at Indian Wells and Belgrade, and reached the semifinals of the season-ending Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara. — 07 /10

Paula Badosa improved 62 spots, from No.70 to No.8. In 2021, the Spaniard won her first two WTA singles titles, at Indian Wells and Belgrade, and reached the semifinals of the season-ending Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara.

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Barbora Krejcikova rose 60 places, from No.65 to No.5. The Czech won her first three WTA singles titles in 2021, including a maiden Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros. — 08 /10

Barbora Krejcikova rose 60 places, from No.65 to No.5. The Czech won her first three WTA singles titles in 2021, including a maiden Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros.

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Tamara Zidansek jumped 57 spots, from No.87 to No.30. This year, the Slovenian won her first WTA singles title in Lausanne and made her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros. — 09 /10

Tamara Zidansek jumped 57 spots, from No.87 to No.30. This year, the Slovenian won her first WTA singles title in Lausanne and made her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros.

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Ann Li rose 50 places, from No.97 to No.47. In 2021, the American won her first WTA singles title in Tenerife and also made the final of the Grampians Trophy in Melbourne. — 10 /10

Ann Li rose 50 places, from No.97 to No.47. In 2021, the American won her first WTA singles title in Tenerife and also made the final of the Grampians Trophy in Melbourne.

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