Aryna Sabalenka is back in action, folks! Sure, she didn’t snag her third Australian Open title this year, but that’s not going to slow her down as we kick off the 2025 WTA season. After a nail-biting final against Madison Keys, where she watched her chance for a hat trick slip away, Sabalenka is ready to regroup and make some strategic moves. The Middle East swing is on the horizon, and it could be a game-changer for her. But it’s not a WTA tournament without a little risk, right?

On Sunday, ahead of the Qatar Open set to take place on February 9, Sabalenka’s coach, Anton Dubrov, recently shared a sneak peek on his Instagram, posting a photo of the banners featuring both Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek outside the Khalifa International Tennis Complex. It’s clear that Sabalenka is gearing up to defend her points and her No. 1 ranking fiercely at this tournament.

Currently, Sabalenka leads the WTA rankings with 8,956 points, but after her recent loss to Keys, she couldn’t defend all her points and lost 700. This has narrowed the gap between her and Swiatek, who is hot on her heels with 8,770 points after a strong semifinal run at the Australian Open. With just a 186-point margin between them, every match counts! Plus, let’s not forget about Coco Gauff lurking in third place; she’s been on fire lately and poses a real threat to both players. Having taken them down before; Sabalenka at the WTA Finals for the title and Swiatek recently at the United Cup!

The points structure for the Qatar Open is crucial for these top contenders. Winners snag a whopping 1,000 points, while runners-up take home 650. Last year, Swiatek clinched the title by defeating Elena Rybakina in straight sets, marking her third consecutive win at this event. Meanwhile, Sabalenka missed out on competing last year, making this tournament even more pivotal for her as she seeks to reclaim her dominance.

Reflecting on the Belarusian’s journey, it’s hard to believe that her only title at the Qatar Open came back in 2020 against Petra Kvitova. Since then, she’s blossomed into a two-time Grand Slam champion and has held the No. 1 ranking twice. However, she’s realistic about the competition ahead and knows that maintaining her top spot won’t be easy as we move closer to the 2025 season.

Aryna Sabalenka shares thoughts on holding the No.1 position

Sabalenka’s journey to the top of women’s tennis has been nothing short of remarkable. After finishing the previous season as World No. 1 with a record of 71 matches, she reflected on the challenges that come with holding such a prestigious title. In an interview with Arab News in November 2024, her coach Anton Dubrov shared his insights, stating, “I don’t think you can hold the No. 1 ranking, to be honest, but I think she’s more mature to understand what you need to do to be on this level.” He emphasized the pressure that comes with being at the top, explaining, “Because to hold it, you cannot hold it. The only thing you can do is your next match.”

Dubrov further elaborated on the mindset required for success at this level: “Because you’re No. 1, everyone plays against you like they have nothing to lose. They can play the best game they can do. And you, with all the stress and all this level, you always have to be consistent, or even higher, all the time.” This sentiment resonates deeply with Sabalenka’s experiences, especially after her unexpected loss to Rybakina at the WTA Finals, where she recognized Rybakina’s aggressive playstyle caught her off guard.

This sentiment echoes her thoughts after losing to Madison Keys at the Australian Open, where she praised Keys for “playing such fearless tennis” in their intense three-set battle that lasted over two hours. But now that the Australian Open has wrapped up and players have had a moment to regroup, all eyes are on Sabalenka as she prepares for the hard courts of the Middle East swing. The question remains: can she bring the heat and protect her No. 1 title?