Iga Swiatek will not be the odds-on favourite to complete the season with the WTA’s No.1 rating, however the six-time main champion has a shot to surpass Aryna Sabalenka if she will proceed on her excessive trajectory down the stretch.
Swiatek, now 1577 factors behind Sabalenka within the Race to Riyadh standings, might choose up important factors this week in Beijing, the place Aryna Sabalenka is sitting out. The Pole can solely achieve factors over the subsequent few weeks, as she was sitting out her one month ban final yr and didn’t play between the US Open and the WTA Finals.
Sabalenka, in the meantime, will lose 215 factors from Beijing and is defending one other 1000 in Wuhan. Sabalenka and Swiatek earned 400 factors every finally yr’s WTA Finals.
Swiatek, using excessive after kicking off her Asian swing with the title in Seoul, says she’s probably not involved in regards to the rating, however admits she is conscious of her present standing in relation to Sabalenka.
“I might say it’s all the time one thing to be there within the again, nevertheless it’s not prefer it’s a essential focus,” she stated.
Swiatek believes the easiest way ahead is to give attention to successful matches fairly than a giant image rating state of affairs.
“I already know that fascinated with the rankings, it’s not a option to go, irrespective of in case you’re No. 2 or irrespective of in case you’re No. 1,” she stated. “It’s simply numbers. Nevertheless it doesn’t change the truth that you want to type of really feel the tennis and give attention to the development on the courtroom, then the outcomes are going to come back after that.”
2024 was troublesome for Swiatek as a result of she was compelled to overlook the month resulting from her doping ban, which made it not possible to earn a 3rd consecutive year-end No.1 rating. In whole, she has held the No.1 rating for 125 weeks, seventh most all-time.
Sabalenka’s 57 weeks – and counting – is thirteenth most all-time.
“For positive it’s a unique scenario than final yr once I wasn’t actually in a position to defend my No. 1, like earn it. So for positive I’m simply glad that I’m right here and I can compete and struggle for it. However… my essential focus is extra tennis-related, how I wish to play, how I really feel on courtroom.”
