While the WTA Finals title eluded Aryna Sabalenka, she still has plenty to celebrate. Despite her semi-final loss to Coco Gauff, she finished the season as the World No. 1. The Belarusian star clinched four titles this season, including two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and the US Open, where she faced Jessica Pegula in a thrilling showdown. She has also secured two WTA 1000 titles: the Cincinnati Open and more recently, the Wuhan Open. Despite so much success this season, Sabalenka remains humble and grateful to those who were with her on this journey.

After the year-end No. 1 ceremony, Sabalenka received her trophy—her first as World No. 1. Sharing her pictures in business casual attire whilst cradling her precious trophy on Instagram, she wrote, “Year-end No. 1! 🏆 Wouldn’t be able to hold this beautiful trophy yet again without all of the support and love I received throughout the season. Thank you ❤️” 

The season had its ups and downs for Sabalenka, not just professionally, but personally as well. She lost her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov who passed away in a tragic accident in Miami. That deeply affected Sabalenka, but being the fighter that she is, she was out there practicing and preparing for the Miami Open the very next day, despite being distressed.

On the professional front, the major blow for Sabalenka was when she had to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury. With the Belarusian struggling with her fitness mid-way through the season, it was hard to predict back then that she would eventually displace Iga Swiatek and finish the season as the World No. 1. But with her incredible form in the North American swing and then in the Asian swing, Sabalenka managed to do that.

Although Sabalenka finished the season as the World No. 1, she couldn’t quite clinch the title at the year-ending championships in Riyadh. She suffered two losses in the tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka wasn’t at her best in the year-ending championships

Sabalenka’s first loss in the WTA Finals came at the group stage where she lost to Elena Rybakina. Although the loss didn’t affect her semifinal chances, it was still a wake-up call. Elena had entered the match without a win in her previous two group-stage matches. After the match, Sabalenka candidly admitted she wasn’t at her best, acknowledging her need to stay motivated even when the stakes seemed lower. She stated, “Well, honestly, this is something I have to learn. How to keep myself motivated and hungry and be 100% on in this kind of matches when you know that you’re already in the semis and the only motivation for you is points and money.”

She had recognized that Rybakina played without pressure and took full advantage of the situation. “But that was tricky. And you see someone up on another side, and especially with such a high-level player who has kind of like nothing to lose,” Sabalenka admitted, noting that she struggled emotionally during the first set, saying she was “really off,” and emphasized the importance of fixing this before entering the knockout stage.

Sabalenka, however, couldn’t bounce back in the semis after that and lost to Coco Gauff as well in straight sets. It was a highly successful season for the Belarusian, but it didn’t end as well as she would have liked to. However, now confirmed as World No. 1 entering the 2025 season, Sabalenka has ambitious goals ahead. Will this setback fuel her drive for an even stronger comeback next year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!