Aryna Sabalenka makes big three, grunt confession but stays in compelling rankings battle
Aryna Sabalenka feels like she has given up ground in the WTA Tour’s big three over the last month but dismissed the need to build confidence.
Sabalenka feels that the so-called big three featuring herself, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina has been more like a big two in recent months.
The world No 2 has also given up a bit of ground to Coco Gauff, who threatens to make that elite group a big four.
Both Gauff and Rybakina are in position to overtake Sabalenka in the rankings after the Madrid Open.
“I feel like I kind of dropped my level a little bit with this Big Three,” Sabalenka said before the Madrid Open.
“I feel like it’s the Big Two last month.”
Sabalenka is the defending champion in Madrid and will need to claim her third title at the event in four years to retain her world No 2 ranking if Gauff reaches the last four at the event.
Rybakina would need to both win the tournament and see Gauff eliminated in the fourth round or sooner to claim a career-high No 2 ranking.
Sabalenka doesn’t feel that confidence is vital to win matches as she made an enlightening revelation about the mindset that she strives to maintain.
She insists that she will be ready to get her hands dirty to ensure she has a good clay swing.
She believes that having the grunt to be able to power through to victory in tough contests will be key.
Sabalenka dismissed the need to build confidence, and feels that its more important to show fighting spirit than to chase the perfect feeling.
The Belarusian wants to maintain that belligerent outlook throughout the clay swing.
She needed her fight to get through a tough first match in Madrid against Magda Linette with the Pole taking her to three sets in their Round of 64
“It’s not about being confident,” Sabalenka said.
“It’s about how much you’re ready to do to get it. It’s about the hard work and to be ready, be ready for the big fights.
“I feel like confidence is not going to help you in those big matches. It’s about staying there and fighting for it.
“I will say, I will be there, I will be fighting for every point and if I have an opportunity, I will take it. That’s my mentality going into the clay season this year.”
The former world No 1 also saw both her rivals for the No 2 ranking win their opening matches with Rybakina the most impressive in seeing off Lucia Bronzetti in a clinical display.
Rybakina leads the WTA Tour in titles won in 2024 and is also top when it comes to match wins, and finals reached.
Gauff holds the edge when the 2023 Madrid Open points allocations fall away and could secure a new career-high ranking sooner than her rivals if they falter. If Rybakina and Sabalenka fail to reach the semi-finals Gauff is assured of being the new WTA world No 2.
READ MORE: Incredible stats underline Coco Gauff’s dominance in Madrid
