Mumbai, Nov. 2 -- Rankings, as it is often said in elite sport, don't always reflect the true picture. Sometimes, though, they truly do.

When Temba Bavuma's men dethroned the Australians from the top of the Tests tree, they did so by destroying them on a manic last day of the memorable series. Are South Africa, who swept past India in India and rallied to beat the Aussies at home, the best men's Test team at present? Undoubtedly so.

When Elena Rybakina dethroned Aryna Sabalenka from the top of the WTA chart at this season's last Grand Slam, she backed it up by defeating the two-time defending champion in the final. Is Rybakina, the 2026 US Open winner who also picked up a WTA title in Ningbo, the best women's tennis player at the moment...