Aryna Sabalenka might have the World No. 1 rank within reach in the coming weeks, and reclaiming that spot is a goal she will actively pursue in the future but not obsess over.
Recently, Sabalenka admitted that being number one is not her top priority despite closing up on the spot in recent weeks. Ranking is a byproduct of being a great and consistent tennis player, which she has demonstrated throughout this year.
That’s why the number one ranking is well within grasp; if she hadn't been this good, she wouldn't have been this close to securing it. At the moment, she’s only trailing Iga Swiatek by 409 points in the 2024 WTA Race to Riyadh, so a close battle between them for the top spot until the end of the year is expected.
Sabalenka’s more pressing goal in New York was to secure the US Open trophy, which she achieved by beating Jessica Pegula in straight sets, and it was a very special victory for the Belarusian player.
"That's why I'm I'm telling you that this one is very special, because of so many things I had to overcome in the past and especially this season and still be able to compete on my highest level and to get this beautiful trophy."
"It's even sweeter because after you're fighting something on and off the court and facing so many challenges and at the end you're you're still getting this trophy."
That was her primary objective when she arrived in New York, and she managed to accomplish it. Speaking about her US Open triumph and future goals on the WTA Insider Podcast, the Belarusian admitted that while the victory was deeply satisfying, she’s still hungry for more success, including returning to the World No. 1 spot.
"I'm still hungry, for sure. Another goal for sure is to try to become World No.1 again. But I don't want to talk about this goal. I'm just trying to keep improving myself and keep getting better every day."
As Sabalenka has admitted before, she won’t obsess over becoming world number one because it’s not a secret how to achieve that. If she continues to improve and focuses on playing well regularly, she will naturally reach the top spot. as her top rival for the rank, Swiatek, often claimed.
It’s straightforward maths at that point, but she won’t let it consume her. She’s also mindful of the need for adequate rest and recovery, which is crucial for any tennis player. With such a demanding sport and a long season, taking days off is essential for maintaining a healthy balance.
"But now I'll definitely have some days off so I can just enjoy this win and I can switch off and forget about tennis for a little bit. So I'll keep this freshness till the end of the season. Six weeks is not that much."
This year has been a major step up for Sabalenka, as she managed to win two Grand Slam titles, something she has never managed to do before in her tennis career. Had her shoulder injury not disrupted her preparation for Wimbledon, she likely would have also been a contender there.
Despite that setback, it was still an impressive season, but as a hard worker, Sabalenka will continue striving for more. She will be eyeing a strong 2025, as her playing style is effective on all surfaces. Sabalenka is also a threat to any type of opponent, as she has shown this year by defeating a variety of challengers.
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