Aryna Sabalenka Describes How Her Relationship With Rival Iga Swiatek Has Changed
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Despite their intense rivalry on the court, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have become friendlier in recent months. Sabalenka recently discussed why that is.
Swiatek and Sabalenka have consistently been at the top of the WTA rankings and had epic battles to finish as the year-end No. 1 in 2023 and 2024. The Belarusian held the position before the 2023 WTA Finals, but Swiatek overtook her by winning the season-ending tournament.
Sabalenka was ranked at No. 3 behind Swiatek and Gauff after this year's Wimbledon. The Pole had a significant lead at No. 1 and seemed destined to finish as the year-end No. 1 for a third consecutive year.
However, Sabalenka rebounded spectacularly, winning the US Open, Cincinnati Open, and Wuhan Open to seal the year-end No. 1 sport. Her place at the summit until the end of 2024 was confirmed after Coco Gauff defeated Swiatek at the WTA Finals.
Swiatek's chances of being the 2024 year-end No. 1 were hampered by missing the entire Asian swing because she was provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine.
She eventually accepted a one-month suspension after proving the source of accidental contamination. Sabalenka broke her silence on the issue during last month's World Tennis League, a few weeks after the case was made public.
However, the world No. 1 resisted any temptation to start a war of words with Swiatek or to try and turn fans against her. Sabalenka said that people jump to conclusions without knowing the facts in comments that seemed broadly supportive of her rival.
The pair were also filmed practicing together since Swiatek's doping case became public, emphasizing that Sabalenka has no problems with her. It continues their good relationship since making a TikTok together at the WTA Finals.
Sabalenka spoke about their improved relations before the Australian Open. The three-time Grand Slam winner admits she used to naturally avoid others but has softened that stance after a few years at the top.
"I feel like when you first start getting to that top-five level, you are always trying to stay away from everybody. It's not like I was against her, or rude to her. I think everyone just focuses on themselves."
"But when you get to a certain point, you can take it easier, and not become best friends, but at least we can practice together. It's going to help each other, to improve each other, to push each other to the next level. It's really cool to practice with someone you have a rivalry with."
The Belarusian also praised Swiatek as a nice person and said it was fun getting to know her better during their sessions. She hopes they continue not to be too tough on each other.
"I thought we have to stay together and have fun and just enjoy our rivalry, not be too tough on each other. Since that, we already practiced a couple of times."
"Then I was doing fitness after our hit. She was like, 'I can join you guys.' We filmed it and post it. It’s been becoming more chill between us, too. I have to say she’s really nice person. It was fun getting to know each other."
Swiatek was complimentary of Sabalenka's game in general when speaking before the Australian Open.
"She won three Grand Slams so, obviously, the results are there. Missing Wimbledon for sure, must have been frustrating. But I think she was able to play great tennis in the US Open swing because she was more fresh than all of us."
"But still, you need a lot of work to try to convert this time into something positive. So I think she did that pretty well. And, yeah, she’s for sure, progressing.”
