Aryna Sabalenka kicked off the week with a commanding 1,046 ranking points advantage over Iga Swiatek, positioning herself in the driver’s seat as the WTA Finals approach, with the coveted Year-End No. 1 ranking in her sights.
Last Monday marked a pivotal moment for the Belarusian, who ascended to the pinnacle of the rankings after zero points were taken into account for the WTA 500 tournaments she missed. This latest adjustment also saw additional zero pointers applied, alongside points from last year’s WTA Finals being removed from the equation. Consequently, the 26-year-old arrives in Riyadh with a significant buffer over the Polish star.
Monday also signified the 10th week for Sabalenka as the world No. 1. She previously reached this coveted position following her success at the US Open last year but held it for a mere eight weeks before the season finale.
“N1…. Let’s see how long this rolls on,” the three-time Grand Slam champion quipped on X after reclaiming her top-ranking status.
Though Swiatek still has a chance to wrap up the season as the top-ranked player, it’s a tall order given that the fate lies firmly in Sabalenka’s hands.
One viable scenario for Sabalenka is to sweep all three of her group matches, thereby clinching the deal without reliance on anyone else. Alternatively, even if she manages to win one or two Round Robin matches and progresses to the finals, it would still suffice for the Belarusian.
The calculations for Swiatek, on the other hand, are quite straightforward – she essentially must win all five of her matches, but even that won’t ensure her ultimate success. If the Pole falters in any of her group matches, Sabalenka could secure the Year-End No. 1 ranking with just two Round Robin victories. Should the defending WTA Finals champion lose two matches, Sabalenka would only need a single win in the group stage.
If Swiatek navigates through the group stage unscathed, and the Belarusian manages to win only two Round Robin matches before bowing out in the semifinals, that would set the stage for the 23-year-old to finish the season as the top player.
Now, following her triumph at this year’s US Open, which also crowned her as the new world No. 1, former Grand Slam semifinalist CoCo Vandeweghe has cautioned the 26-year-old to prepare for heightened scrutiny.
“She’s got the momentum. Coming off the US Open, she hasn’t played much since. Meanwhile, you see others, like Iga and Jessie Pegula, trying to regain their momentum after their recent losses. Aryna is now the target. The question remains: how will she handle that big target on her back?” Vandeweghe remarked on Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast.
“For so long, it was Iga who bore that weight, with everyone chasing her for the No. 1 ranking and seeking to defeat her on the biggest stages. Now, that mantle has shifted to Sabalenka, and the big question is, can she maintain that position? Will she rise to the occasion?”
Swiatek’s new coach, Wim Fissette, who will make his debut alongside the Pole at the WTA Finals, also had a message for Sabalenka, emphasizing readiness for their upcoming matches.
“Top players relish big matches; it’s their main motivator. They thrive on the challenge. My preparation involves analyzing information and videos, discussing strengths and weaknesses, and formulating tactics. It’s about preparing for players like Aryna and Elena Rybakina,” Fissette explained.
Despite Swiatek’s absence during the Asian swing, her main competitor conveyed disappointment at not having the opportunity to compete against her.
“I genuinely enjoy the competition and facing her in the draw. Getting to the finals and going head-to-head is always thrilling for me. I hope Iga resolves her coaching situation and returns to the Finals in peak shape, so we can battle for the No. 1 ranking. I’m focused on my game and doing my utmost to become No. 1 by season’s end,” Sabalenka stated.