Aryna Sabalenka believes being the top-ranked participant within the recreation signifies that she is "doing one thing proper," however admits there may be additionally the strain that comes with it.
After the 2023 US Open, Sabalenka reached the world No. 1 rating for the primary time in her profession. Nevertheless, it was a brief eight-week stint since she misplaced the Yr-Finish No. 1 battle to Iga Swiatek.
For probably the most a part of 2024, Swiatek owned the WTA throne. However then, Sabalenka managed to regain the highest spot in 2024 October. Since then, there haven't been any adjustments on the prime spot. And by going a full 2025 because the world No. 1, the 27-year-old Belarusian grew to become solely the seventh participant to attain the feat.
“After all there’s strain, however it’s additionally a privilege. Being No. 1 means you’re doing one thing proper. I’ve discovered to embrace that strain as a substitute of fearing it. I belief my preparation, my workforce and my recreation, and that helps me keep centered when expectations are excessive," Sabalenka instructed Gulf Information.
Sabalenka warned by Swiatek's coach in regards to the world No. 1 rating
When addressing the Polish tennis star's targets for 2026, coach Wim Fissette famous that the reigning Wimbledon champion can be out searching for a number of Grand Slam wins, in addition to returning to the world No. 1 spot.
"The priorities usually are not altering. Iga desires to be the very best on the earth. We need to win a Grand Slam, hopefully a couple of. We intend to be as shut as potential to the No. 1 within the rating," Fissette instructed Polish tennis journalist Dominik Senkowski in November.
Sabalenka enters 2026 with 10,870 rating factors beneath her belt, whereas Swiatek has 8,395.
This Monday, the Belarusian entered her seventieth week because the world No. 1. In the meantime, the Polish tennis star has loved a complete of 125 weeks on the prime spot up to now.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see for a way way more time Sabalenka can preserve Swiatek away from the WTA throne.
