Aryna Sabalenka asked about equalling Iga Swiatek’s Grand Slam tally and feeling ‘invincible’
Aryna Sabalenka has proclaimed that she is “not thinking about” equalling Iga Swiatek’s Grand Slam tally after starting her 2025 season with victory at the Brisbane International.
The world No 1 revealed she “loves” the way she and Swiatek push each other while explaining she is focused on trying to push herself “to the limit.”
Sabalenka earned a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against world No 107 Polina Kudermetova in the final of the WTA 500 tournament.
The Belarusian’s triumph over the 21-year-old Russian qualifier saw her claim her 18th WTA singles title ahead of her Australian Open title defence.
The 26-year-old is the two-time reigning Australian Open champion, having won her maiden major at the 2023 edition of the Melbourne major before adding her second last year. Sabalenka secured her third Grand Slam crown at the 2024 US Open.
Swiatek, Sabalenka’s biggest rival and the world No 2, has won five majors: four French Opens and one US Open.
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In her press conference after beating Kudermetova, Sabalenka was asked about Swiatek’s Grand Slam tally and her rivalry with the Pole.
Q. You’ve talked a lot this week about the world No 1 ranking. It doesn’t seem to be your top priority. Obviously Grand Slams are. Iga has five, you have three. How desperate are you to level with her and prove you’re the dominant player of this generation?
SABALENKA: “Well, I love the way we push each other. It’s not like I’m thinking about her, about her amount of Grand Slams.
“I’m more focusing on myself, just trying to push myself to the limit and see how far I can get in this sport. At the end of my career, I want to look back and be proud of myself. We’ll talk about that at the end of my career.”
The world No 1 also addressed if she felt close to “invincible” as she prepares to challenge for a third successive victory at the year’s first major.
“I mean, that’s sport. That’s why sport is so beautiful, because you cannot be sure about everything,” Sabalenka said.
“Every time you’re out there, you have to compete, you have to fight, you have to show why you are, like, world No 1 or why you’re in top 10. Doesn’t matter. You have to show your level and you have to fight for it.
“I definitely feel confident in my game. I’m just excited. I love playing there. I love to fight for my dream. That’s the conditions where I feel really comfortable in. I’m just super excited heading to the Australian Open.”
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