Aryna Sabalenka, Yokozuna

Aryna Sabalenka became the 20st  female Yokozuna (= Grand Champion) of the open era today, by defeating (now) co-Yokozuna Iga Swiatek in the French open semi-finals and adding at least a final participation to her final at the 2025 Australian Open and victory at the 2024 U.S. Open. Given that Sabalenka already holds three grand slam titles, this series (W-F-F) suffices for a promotion to the highest rank. 

Sabalenka had been close before, and with her dominant, aggressive game she seemed poised for Yokozuna, but only in the last three grand slam tournaments did she find the top-level consistency that is befitting for a Grand Champion. There are several paths to Yokozuna, hers took a bit longer - almost 8 years after her grand slam debut. But now Sabalenka has joined a small circle of elite players who have dominated female grand slam tennis since the beginning of the Open Era in 1968. 

A full update will come later.