Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek’s on-court rivalry has become one of the most thrilling storylines in women’s tennis, particularly this season. They have faced off 12 times since 2021, with Swiatek leading 8-4. And their most notable clash this year was the Madrid Open final, where Swiatek triumphed after an intense three-hour battle, saving three match points. Although Swiatek currently holds the No. 1 ranking, Sabalenka’s recent success puts her in a strong position as they head into the final stretch of the season. Anton Dubrov, who has been guiding Sabalenka since 2020, shared in his player’s joy and relief after their hard-fought victory. Plus, how far along is Sabalenka from No. 1.

A heartwarming tradition at the US Open honors the coaches of singles champions, recognizing their invaluable contributions. Last week, Aryna Sabalenka made history by winning her first US Open title. In a touching gesture, she presented her coach with a miniature replica of the championship trophy.

“Aryna did great. She stuck to the plan, she trusted the process, she trusted the things we talked through every day, and she was actually brave enough to do them when she was under huge pressure,” said Dubrov. While Sabalenka rides the high of the win, her coach, Anton Dubrov, emphasizes on a renewed focus on health and recovery as they approach the season’s end.

When asked how they intend to tackle the upcoming tournaments, particularly in her rivalry with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Dubrov said, “The goal is first to be fit and healthy because it’s going to take a while to recover.” He added, “The main goal for us this season is to finish on a high note. Right now, I would say we can talk about the No. 1 spot; finishing the year as No. 1 is a really cool goal.”

Dubrov also recognized the emotional and physical toll of Aryna Sabalenka’s US Open campaign, stating, “This took so much energy and emotions, so we need to learn how to recover quickly and set our goals.” He emphasized that while many athletes aim for lofty achievements like winning multiple Grand Slams and finishing at No. 1, these goals require careful management and time. “Everyone says, ‘I want to win four Slams and finish No. 1.’ That’s a great goal, but it takes time to manage it,” he explained. But the real question is:

Can Sabalenka bridge the gap to Swiatek’s No. 1 ranking?

One would assume that fresh off her exhilarating US Open triumph, Aryna Sabalenka would be soaring with confidence. But turns out that she’s not one to just bask in the glory for long! The Belarusian, who defeated Jessica Pegula to secure her second Grand Slam title of the season, has made it clear that she remains hungry for more success and is determined to chase down world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Despite trailing Swiatek by over 2,000 points in the WTA rankings, Sabalenka seems to be quite focused on her goal of reclaiming the top spot.

Sabalenka acknowledges the challenges she faced this season, including a shoulder injury that forced her to miss Wimbledon and the emotional toll of losing her former partner earlier in the year. However, she credits this difficult period with helping her recharge and come back stronger for the hard-court summer. “I’m still hungry, for sure,” Sabalenka told the WTA Insider podcast.

Despite her impressive 2024 season, which includes Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open, Sabalenka has a significant deficit to make up. Swiatek, who has won five Grand Slam titles, has accumulated a substantial lead in the rankings. As for Swiatek, her consistency and dominance throughout the season have been key factors in her ability to maintain the No. 1 ranking. She has won multiple titles, including the French Open, and has reached the semifinals or better in most tournaments she has entered. However, this doesn’t mean Sabalenka lacks motivation.

She’ll need to find new sources of inspiration to keep pushing herself against Swiatek and other top players. With Dubrov’s guidance and their focus on health and recovery, Sabalenka aims to build on her momentum from the US Open while navigating the pressures of elite competition. Only time and their performances at Beijing, Wuhan and other events will tell who will be the true conqueror of the No.1 title.