“Our goal is for Swiatek to start adding more Grand Slam titles on other surfaces as well,” is what Iga Swiatek‘s new coach Wim Fissette said about their first target together. But isn’t it surprising that there wasn’t a word about the rankings? Swiatek’s reign as the world no.1 turned out to be commendable in terms of the length. The WTA star completed multiple 50-week stints. However, the latest admission from her might seem shocking for the ones who have followed her season.

Iga Swiatek knew that taking a break after the US Open could cost her the world no.1 ranking, but she felt it was necessary. Aryna Sabalenka was just behind her in the rankings, and Swiatek was well aware of the possible consequences. “Aryna was right behind me,” Swiatek shared. “I knew the consequence would be to lose the number one.” Swiatek explained that stepping back was important for her well-being, even if it meant slipping in the rankings. “I wouldn’t say it’s a big deal for me,” she continued. “Everyone wants to be there, but I’m not obsessed with it.” Despite her calm outlook, Swiatek remains focused on reclaiming her top position, saying, “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.”

Sabalenka, meanwhile, has had a standout 2024 season, securing massive victories that helped her get to the top. Winning the Australian Open and later triumphing at the Wuhan Open boosted her ranking and added momentum to her season. With these victories, she also managed to overtake Swiatek and regain the World No.1 title, a position she held for eight weeks last year before Swiatek took it over. Reflecting on her achievement, Sabalenka shared her excitement in a tweet, saying, “N1. Let’s see for how long this time.” Her performance throughout the year has been strong as it allowed her to build a lead with 9,706 points compared to Swiatek’s close 9,665, just 41 points behind.

At the WTA Finals, both players had an opportunity to solidify their standings and potentially shift the rankings once more. The tournament represented a chance to recover her no.1 spot for Swiatek, and she entered with high hopes. She delivered a strong win over Daria Kasatkina in her opening match, keeping her hopes alive. However, for Swiatek to advance, she needed Coco Gauff to defeat Barbora Krejcikova in their subsequent match. The tournament’s points structure of up to 1,500 points for the winner added further weight to each match, making the competition for the top spot intense.

Unfortunately, the Pole’s WTA Finals journey ended sooner than she had hoped. Despite her victory earlier in the day, Krejcikova went on to defeat Gauff, securing her spot in the semifinals and eliminating Swiatek’s chances. The battle for World No.1 continues, with Sabalenka holding the top spot and Swiatek determined to rise again. Both players now look forward to the upcoming season where they will once again be against each other as fierce rivals.

Iga Swiatek advised to follow Aryna Sabalenka’s lead

Aryna Sabalenka’s remarkable improvement in her serves has caught the attention of experts. Speaking to Sports.Pl on November 8, Dr. Piotr Krezalek from the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow shared insights on how biomechanics has driven Sabalenka’s transformation. Dr. Krezalek highlighted that science now plays a major role in refining elite athletes’ performance, even in minor but critical ways. “Biomechanics are of great importance in every sport,” he explained. “And especially at the highest level, where it’s about tightening a small screw… adding a little element that the competition doesn’t have.” This highlight on precision has helped Sabalenka evolve from a player prone to double faults to one of the top servers in the game.

Dr. Krezalek likened these small improvements to the approach in Atomic Habits, a book that details how tiny, focused changes can create powerful results. He referenced the success story of Great Britain’s cycling team, where a coach raised the team’s performance by prioritizing even the smallest details. “There’s the aforementioned coach… paying attention to details… to trifles that seemed insignificant at first glance,” he shared, making it clear that minor adjustments in technique can improve an athlete’s quality significantly.

Iga Swiatek struggled to maintain her form through the latter part of the season despite her French Open title. Her early exit from the WTA Finals and a bronze at the Paris Olympics highlighted her challenges. Dr. Krezalek believes biomechanics and similar methods could benefit Swiatek, who has the potential to elevate her game further with a focus on precision. “Of course, there would be an opportunity for Iga to use our help,” he said, hinting at the possibilities for the Polish star. Although a break hindered her performance, it still remains to be seen if she can get the dominance back in the upcoming season.