Wary of Coco Gauff & Iga Swiatek’s Threat, Aryna Sabalenka’s Coach Confirms Critical 2025 Decision
Aryna Sabalenka is back in action, folks! Sure, she didn’t snag her third Australian Open title this year, but that’s not going to slow her down as we kick off the 2025 WTA season. After a nail-biting final against Madison Keys, where she watched her chance for a hat trick slip away, Sabalenka is ready to regroup and make some strategic moves. The Middle East swing is on the horizon, and it could be a game-changer for her. But it’s not a WTA tournament without a little risk, right?
On Sunday, ahead of the Qatar Open set to take place on February 9, Sabalenka’s coach, Anton Dubrov, recently shared a sneak peek on his Instagram, posting a photo of the banners featuring both Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek outside the Khalifa International Tennis Complex. It’s clear that Sabalenka is gearing up to defend her points and her No. 1 ranking fiercely at this tournament.
Currently, Sabalenka leads the WTA rankings with 8,956 points, but after her recent loss to Keys, she couldn’t defend all her points and lost 700. This has narrowed the gap between her and Swiatek, who is hot on her heels with 8,770 points after a strong semifinal run at the Australian Open. With just a 186-point margin between them, every match counts! Plus, let’s not forget about Coco Gauff lurking in third place; she’s been on fire lately and poses a real threat to both players. Having taken them down before; Sabalenka at the WTA Finals for the title and Swiatek recently at the United Cup!
The points structure for the Qatar Open is crucial for these top contenders. Winners snag a whopping 1,000 points, while runners-up take home 650. Last year, Swiatek clinched the title by defeating Elena Rybakina in straight sets, marking her third consecutive win at this event. Meanwhile, Sabalenka missed out on competing last year, making this tournament even more pivotal for her as she seeks to reclaim her dominance.
