Aryna Sabalenka makes ‘much-needed’ claim about Iga Swiatek rivalry as she also shares her wish for the Pole
Aryna Sabalenka believes her rivalry with Iga Swiatek is “something much-needed” in women’s tennis as she admits she can’t wait to play against the Pole again.
The duo have been the best two players on the WTA Tour the past two years and they currently occupy the top two spots in the WTA Rankings.
Their battle for the year-end No 1 ranking will only be decided at the season-ending WTA Finals following Swiatek’s decision to skip the back-to-back WTA 1000 events in China.
The Pole currently leads the way, but Sabalenka will close the gap in the standings to just 69 points if she enjoys a title run at the Wuhan Open.
Having already reached the third round, the Belarusian is now also just one win away from overtaking Swiatek in the Race To Riyadh, which will give her the top seed status for the WTA Finals.
“Having this rivalry with Iga is something big for tennis and something much-needed, I would say, in women’s tennis,” Sabalenka said. “To keep this competition going would be really good for tennis.”
She added: “I love having this competition and I love seeing her in the draw.
“I love to get to the finals and face her. It’s always great battles. I always enjoy fights against her.”
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Swiatek didn’t defend her China Open crown last week while she also opted out of the Wuhan event following her split from her coach Thomas Wiktorowski as she decided to “take some time after making changes in her team”.
Sabalenka wishes only the best for her rival.
“I hope she’ll figure out the coach situation and she’ll be back in the [WTA] Finals in her best shape. Hopefully, we can play against each other there,” the three-time Grand Slam winner said.
Swiatek has finished as the year-end No 1 the past two years with the Pole pipping Sabalenka to the 2023 title with her undefeated title run at the WTA Finals.
But the newly crowned US Open champion
“I’m trying to focus on myself and make sure that I play my best tennis and make sure I still have this opportunity to become world No 1 at the end of the year,” the 26-year-old said.
“I think it’s [being year-end No 1] been my goal since I was little. This is something that shows that I’m on the right way, I’m working on the right things.”
