Securing final in tennis, Wade’s opponent climbed rankings (4)
I believe the answer is:
rose
'climbed rankings' is the definition.
'rose' can be an answer for 'climbed' (raise and climb can both mean to go up or increase). I am unsure of the 'rankings' bit.
'securing final in tennis wade's opponent' is the wordplay.
'securing' indicates putting letters inside.
'final in tennis' becomes 's' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'wade's opponent' becomes 'Roe' (as in Roe vs Wade, US court case).
's' placed within 'roe' is 'ROSE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rose that I've seen before include "Moved upwards for the flower" , "Prickly plant with bright flowers" , "Doctor Who's recent companion" , "Adjourned" , "reached for the skies" .)