Is the restructuring in the WTA rankings a bane or a boon? Well, if you’re an Iga Swiatek fan, then you might not be too pleased with the new rules. However, Aryna Sabalenka fans must be on cloud nine at the moment, since this new rule has now helped the Belarusian surpass the Polish superstar to become the new world number one. What is the new rule, though?

Aryna Sabalenka is now placed at the top spot in the women’s singles ranking with 9706 points, while Iga Swiatek is at the second spot with 9665 points. This is now Sabalenka’s ninth career week as world number one. She spent her first eight weeks in the top spot last year. How did this happen all of a sudden? Neither Sabalenka nor Swiatek were in action in the last week. However, with some restructuring in the WTA rankings based on the WTA 500 event commitments, we’re witnessing this major change at the top.

According to this new rule released by the WTA this year, players are required to play six WTA 500 events. Not only that, the rule says that zero-pointers are applied for each one missed. With just the Japan Open left on the list of WTA 500 events this season, we’re already witnessing the impact of this ruling in WTA Rankings. Iga Swiatek has played just two WTA 500 events this year (United Cup and Stuttgart Open). On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka has played four WTA 500 events this year (Brisbane International, Stuttgart Open, Grass Court Championships Berlin, and Citi Open).

With zero-pointers beginning to be applied to both these superstars, Iga Swiatek’s points went down from 9785 to 9665, while Aryna Sabalenka’s points reduced from 9716 to just 9706. Now, if both these players don’t take part in the Japan Open, Sabalenka’s points will go down to 9641 and Swiatek’s to 9470. After that, their 2023 WTA Finals points will drop off ahead of their 2024 WTA Finals campaigns. It’ll widen the gap between the two before the season’s end. Sabalenka can possibly gather 9016 and Swiatek will be then sitting below the Belarusian with just 7970 points.

Both Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have taken their tennis to new heights over the last few years. They’ve dominated women’s tennis during this phase and have conquered the top two spots in between them for most of the time. Both these WTA stars feel their rivalry has been key to their individual success. Currently, Swiatek leads the H2H scoreline by an 8-4 margin. However, talking about her rivalry with Sabalenka, she once stated, “For sure when we play against each other, I feel like it’s a challenge. I think it’s also pushing me to become a better and better player, so I think we both kind of need each other to grow.“

What are Aryna Sabalenka’s thoughts on her rivalry with Iga Swiatek? Well, the Belarusian also shared similar thoughts during a previous interaction, “She definitely motivates me a lot to get better, and I think I improve so many things just because of her.” Sabalenka said that Swiatek has pointed out the things she wasn’t good at and motivated her to get better in her game. It’s truly amazing how these two push each other to bring out their A-game whenever they step onto the courts. However, since Sabalenka has already pushed Swiatek from the top spot, how can Swiatek beat the likes of Aryna Sabalenka to get back her crown?

Iga Swiatek’s new coach shares his plans to help her beat the likes of Aryna Sabalenka

Now, the sole goal for Wim Fissette is to help Iga Swiatek win more Grand Slam titles other than just the French Open title. Swiatek has struggled a bit this season with the grass and hard courts. Was it the only reason behind her bold decision to part ways with her long-time coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski? We don’t know really, but definitely, it had a role in her thinking of bringing a change to her team. Talking about the change, i.e. Wim Fissette, this 44-year-old Belgian coach comes with vast experience in the coaching field. He recently parted ways with Naomi Osaka but before that, he has also coached the likes of Kim Clijsters, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, and many more.

According to Fissette’s initial thoughts on his new role, “Our goal is for Swiatek to start adding more Grand Slam titles on other surfaces as well.” Iga Swiatek has won 5 titles this season and that’s one more than Aryna Sabalenka. Still some of the fans feel the Polish superstar has fallen behind the Belarusian this season. How can Iga Swiatek get back to her rhythm in big matches on non-clay courts?

Well, Wim Fissette perhaps has this answer! “Top players want to play big matches, that’s their main motivation. They usually don’t have problems with it, it makes them happy. How do I work? I have information, videos. I prepare my players, we discuss strengths and weaknesses, prepare tactically, and draw conclusions. In the case of tennis players like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, you make an analysis and look for a way to beat them.” Now, the question is: Can Fissette help Swiatek to get back to her top spot replacing Sabalenka? Time will tell!

Since these two tennis stars will be the top two seeds at the WTA Finals, they won’t be featuring in the same group. So, the earliest meeting of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at this tournament could possibly be in SF. However, even if Swiatek wins the title this year, Sabalenka will still have a chance to end the year as the world number one if she manages to win at least two of her group-stage matches. So, it’s time to pull up the socks for the former world number one, Iga Swiatek!