Aryna Sabalenka sets sights on displacing Iga Swiatek as year-end World No. 1 after big push from Wuhan Open title
Aryna Sabalenka’s Wuhan Open victory has brought her within 69 points of dislodging Iga Swiatek from the World No. 1 spot. The Belarusian now has 9,716 points, just behind the Pole’s 9,785.
Sabalenka rose to the World No. 1 ranking after reaching the US Open final last year, but Swiatek recaptured the position soon after. The Pole has remained atop the ladder throughout the 2024 season but has come under real threat of losing the position once again.Speaking to the media after her Wuhan Open final win over Zheng Qinwen, Sabalenka said she was happy to see how competitive the rankings space has gotten.
The Belarusian said recapturing the World No. 1 ranking is obviously one of her goals, but was quick to add that she prefers focusing on herself and her game and not looking too far ahead. She addressed the possibility of being the year-end World No. 1 saying, she will know whether she deserves to be in that position at the season-ending WTA Finals.
“Yeah, that’s really tight ranking right now. Really nice to see,” Sabalenka said.
