Iga Swiatek lost the world number one spot to Aryna Sabalenka on October 21st, and ever since that day, the new WTA rankings have become a hot topic of discussion in the tennis world. Just ahead of the WTA Finals, Swiatek was asked to share her thoughts about losing her crown to Sabalenka. During that time, she said, “Obviously I think I’m going to lose it like two weeks ago (smiling). Honestly, I don’t mind.” Both Sabalenka and Swiatek had an outstanding season this year, but then what really made the difference? Well, Swiatek missed the entirety of the Asian swing following her US Open exit. Swiatek claims she knew the consequences but says she had no other options!

Throughout the year, we have seen Iga Swiatek venting out her frustration on the hectic tennis schedules. Did fatigue play a role in her losing the crown to Aryna Sabalenka? Well, during an interview with AS, Swiatek spoke about the pressure that has been constantly with her for several years. She revealed, “I needed a break after the US Open, and Aryna was right behind me, so I knew the consequence would be to lose the number one. But unfortunately, that’s what I had to do.”

Iga Swiatek played 70 matches this season! This year being an Olympic year, added more to her woes. Further reflecting on her thoughts on losing the top spot to the Belarusian, she added, “I wouldn’t say it’s a big deal for me. Of course, everyone wants to be there, but I’m not obsessed with it. Aryna and I will fight for it. And I know that if I work hard, focus on the right things, I’m sure I can be number one again.” She also highlighted the additional pressure that comes with having the crown of being the world’s number one on her head.

Both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have managed to put a fierce rivalry in the women’s Tour. The last time neither Swiatek nor Sabalenka were world number one was back in April 2022. Although America’s Coco Gauff rose to the world number 2 spot for a brief time this summer, Swiatek and Sabalenka have largely occupied these two top spots on the WTA Rankings over the last two years. What does Iga Swiatek think about Aryna Sabalenka becoming the new world number one?

Well, during a previous interview, Swiatek said, “She (Sabalenka) is a great player. She deserves to be world No 1.” Aryna Sabalenka won 4 titles this season and two out of them were Grand Slam triumphs (AO and the US Open). Was being the world’s number one always in the plan for Aryna Sabalenka?

Aryna Sabalenka claims replacing Iga Swiatek at the top spot in the singles ranking was never in her plans

Time and again this year, we’ve heard several tennis experts claiming that Aryna Sabalenka deserves to be world number one ahead of Iga Swiatek. For example, former Wimbledon Champion, Conchita Martinez heaped praise on how the Belarusian superstar has improved her game over the last few years. During an interview, she said, “I really like how Aryna has gotten so much better in many aspects of her game, fixing her serve, also her forehand is very powerful. She’s been playing finals, winning tournaments, so she probably deserves to be there, because Iga didn’t play for a couple of months.”

However, interestingly, Aryna Sabalenka claims that clinching the top spot from Iga Swiatek was never in her plans initially. During a recent conversation with American legend, Andy Roddick she claimed, “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.”

After that, she revealed that it was her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, who had initially given her the breaking news that she had become the new world number one in women’s tennis. Is enjoying the game more important than chasing records or stats constantly? Well, perhaps this is what these two fierce rivals of women’s tennis are trying to make their fans understand!