Iga Swiatek issues ‘deserved’ Aryna Sabalenka world No 1 verdict as she sends a warning

Ewan West 02 Nov 2024 10:32 AM

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will battle for the No 1 ranking at the WTA Finals

Iga Swiatek has declared that Aryna Sabalenka “deserves” to be the world No 1 ahead of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh.

The Polish star insisted she is unfazed by the fact she has lost top spot to Sabalenka, while also asserting she is going to “fight” to regain the position.

Swiatek was overtaken by Sabalenka last week having held the world No 1 position since winning last year’s WTA Finals in Cancun.

The five-time Grand Slam champion is 1,046 points adrift of her Belarusian rival heading into the year-end championships.

Swiatek will face Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday in her opening round robin match in Riyadh, while Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen will contest the opening singles match today.

The top two seeds could meet in either the semi-finals or the final if they progress from their respective groups.

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Speaking ahead of the WTA Finals, Swiatek spoke about her ranking battle with Sabalenka and her practice session with the three-time major winner in Riyadh.

“Obviously we’re both fighting for this spot. Yeah, it’s been us basically kind of over the past few years,” the world No 2 said.

“Yeah, I mean, I am in the tournament. I obviously want to play my best game here and win this tournament. I’m just going to focus on my first match and do everything step by step.

“It was just nice to practice with Aryna because we haven’t done that in a while, since probably 2022. It’s been a long time. I’m not really sure why (smiling). Yeah, it was a really good practice.

“She’s a great player. She deserves to be world No 1. For sure I’m going to fight for me to be in that place.”

Swiatek revealed when she had first thought she was going to lose the No 1 spot.

“Obviously, I think I’m going to lose it like two weeks ago (smiling). Honestly, I don’t mind,” she explained.

She was then asked if she knows what she needs to do in Riyadh to reclaim top spot after the WTA Finals.

“I don’t. I want to play the best kind of tennis. That’s what I need to do,” Swiatek replied.

Swiatek, who has not played since her US Open quarter-final exit two months ago, also addressed the fact she is entering the event with less recent match play than her rivals.

“I think it’s not going to be a problem. I don’t feel rusty. I played some points, as well, here with Aryna and Qinwen. Also I’ve been practising that way. I don’t feel like I missed a lot,” the Pole explained.

“Honestly, it wasn’t like a really long break still. Probably a bit longer than a normal pre-season. I spent this time still playing tennis and for sure focusing on finding new coach, making this transition.

“It’s always tricky. For me, it’s a decision hopefully for years because I look at my career kind of long-term. Yeah, we’ll see.”