US Open Runner-Up Sabalenka Still Prize Money Leader Among Women In 2023
She may have fallen short in her quest to win a second Grand Slam title, but Aryna Sabalenka left New York with two other prizes.
The Belarusian powerhouse cemented her lead in the WTA prize money charts for the 2023 season, banking a cool $1.5 million for her runner-up finish at the US Open last Saturday, taking her season's tally to $7,369,635 in addition to dethroning Iga Swiatek from the World No. 1 ranking.
Sabalenka is also the fourth-highest prize money earner in 2023 across both tours behind leading ATP players Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev. She is on course to become the first WTA player since 2019 to cross the $10 million mark in yearly prize money.
The WTA No. 1 rises a spot above retired player Jelena Jankovic in the career prize money list into 24th spot and within touching distance of the Top 20, having amassed $19,544,545 in her career. Sabalenka is almost $2 million ahead of second-placed Coco Gauff, the new US Open champion, and third-placed Iga Swiatek in 2023 prize money earnings.
The 25-year-old is currently on a post-Grand Slam vacation, choosing to skip the WTA 1000 tournament in Guadalajara which begins next week. In the meantime, Sabalenka had the honor of lifting the Chris Evert trophy after becoming the 29th woman to ascend to the summit of women's tennis.
"If somebody would ever tell me when I just started to play tennis that one day I'll be number one in the world I probably would never believe in that but I am very fortunate and thankful that I had so much support throughout my whole life from my family and people around me to achieve what I have today! Thanks to everyone for your warm messages you make me feel very special. Hungry for more!"
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