CoCo Vandeweghe Sends a Clear Message to Aryna Sabalenka Post-Iga Swiatek Overtaking

In a striking commentary on the current landscape of women’s tennis, CoCo Vandeweghe has stepped into the spotlight, firmly stating that Aryna Sabalenka is emerging as the leading contender on the tour. The former two-time Grand Slam semifinalist cautions the 26-year-old Belarusian that with her ascent to the world No. 1 ranking, she now finds herself in the precarious position of being “the hunted.” Sabalenka’s performances over the past few months have been nothing short of sensational. Claiming victory at the US Open, alongside triumphs at the WTA 1000 events in Cincinnati and Wuhan, she has wreaked havoc on her rivals. Her only setback in this formidable stretch was a quarterfinal loss to Karolina Muchova in Beijing, a minor blemish on an otherwise stunning run. While Sabalenka was busy adding titles to her name, Iga Swiatek, the previous world No. 1, has faced a challenging summer, including firing her long-time coach and skipping the entire Asian swing of the tour. Sabalenka has been steadily melting away Swiatek’s lead, and as of Monday, the Belarusian has reclaimed her spot at the pinnacle of women’s tennis. “The momentum is definitely on her side. Coming off her US Open victory, Sabalenka has had limited play since, unlike others who are scrambling to regain their footing. It’s a fresh dynamic; now Aryna carries the target that Iga once bore, and the question is how she’ll handle that pressure,” Vandeweghe discussed on Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast. For an extended period, it was Swiatek who faced the relentless pursuit of opponents vying to dethrone her. Now, as Sabalenka wears the crown, the critical inquiry pivots: how will she respond? Can she maintain her composure and deliver under the weight of such expectations? In a recent shake-up, Swiatek appointed Wim Fissette after parting ways with her coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, who led her to four Grand Slam victories. Fissette, known for his work with Naomi Osaka during her Australian and US Open wins, aims to enhance Swiatek’s prowess on faster surfaces, acknowledging her formidable clay-court skills while noting her vulnerabilities on hard and grass. “Our mission is clear: we want Iga to expand her Grand Slam collection beyond clay. The unique rhythm of the clay season is intense, but post-Paris, our focus will shift toward mastering other surfaces. The rivalry with Sabalenka will undoubtedly be pivotal, and I will ensure Iga is well-prepared for this challenge,” Fissette asserted in an interview with Eurosport Poland. With her recent resurgence, Sabalenka took up the mantle of world No. 1 for the first time after her US Open success, though her reign lasted a mere eight weeks. Despite an advantageous lead against Swiatek, a disappointing performance at the WTA Finals saw her lose that top position. As she gears up for the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Sabalenka is stepping in with a considerable 1,046 point lead over Swiatek. In response to reclaiming her top ranking, she playfully noted on X, “N1… Let’s see how long this lasts.” As the finals approach, the scenario presents a multitude of pathways for Sabalenka to solidify her Year-End No. 1 ranking—her path may include winning all three group matches or even finishing as a finalist while Swiatek falters in earlier rounds. In a sport where every point matters, the stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as Aryna Sabalenka seeks to prove herself while defending her newfound title.