Belarusian star

Aryna Sabalenka has reached a milestone that many players only dream of, yet she remains refreshingly unphased by the achievement. It’s not that she isn’t thrilled—it’s simply that Sabalenka doesn’t consider it the pinnacle of her career. In a recent conversation with Andy Roddick, she opened up about her journey, sharing insights that reveal why she deserves the recognition she has earned. Her perspective shows a grounded focus, highlighting personal growth and passion for something more than simply being at the top. So, what did she say?

Sabalenka may be savoring a romantic getaway in Paris with her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, but she still made time to appear on Andy Roddick’s podcast Served, where she spoke candidly about her recent performance, her WTA No. 1 ranking, and her passion for the sport. Sabalenka’s impressive 2024 season, featuring two Grand Slam titles, catapulted her to the top of the WTA rankings in September—a milestone that, while exciting, revealed her true perspective on success.

During her conversation with Roddick, Sabalenka shared that ending the season as the world’s No. 1 wasn’t part of her plan. “I wasn’t really focusing on the world’s No. 1 ranking or what I needed to do to finish the year at the top. I didn’t go that deep, just so you know (laughs). I was like, whatever. People would ask, ‘Do you know what it takes to finish as world No. 1?’ and I’d be like, no, and don’t tell me—I don’t want to know. I just wanted to focus on my tennis,” she said, emphasizing that her main goal was purely to excel at her game.

Reflecting on the moment she learned about her rank, she shared a humorous anecdote from a pre-finals press conference: “I just woke up one morning, and my boyfriend was like, ‘Oh, congrats, you’re world No. 1,’ and I’m like, ‘What?’” she said, laughing at her own surprise. Despite her unplanned ascent to no. 1, her words reveal a competitive mindset driven less by numbers and more by her love for the sport.

Aryna Sabalenka wants to “dominate the tour like Serena”

The Belarusian may not have planned for this thrilling career milestone, but Aryna Sabalenka is fully embracing it. In a recent interview with Arab News, Sabalenka expressed her admiration for icons like Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek, stating, “I always wanted to dominate the tour like Serena did, like Iga was able to do for so long. It’s really inspiring, and of course I want to dominate the tour like they did. But I’m trying to focus on myself, on improving myself, to make sure that I have all the tools to dominate the tour as they did.” Her words highlight a focus that goes beyond the rankings—her dedication to refining her game.

Sabalenka’s achievement speaks to her resilience and determination. Overcoming personal hardships, including a tragedy at the 2024 Miami Open, she returned with renewed strength, underscoring why she’s a deserving holder of the No. 1 ranking. Her journey reveals the spirit of a true champion. What do you think—is she the face of a new era in women’s tennis?