© Getty Images Sport – Alex Pantling
Iga Swiatek revealed she personally thinks that Aryna Sabalenka deserved to reach the world No 1 ranking this year. Sabalenka, 25, became the world No 1 for the first time in her career after replacing Swiatek at the top spot on September 11th.
Before Sabalenka overtook Swiatek, the Pole was the top-ranked player in the world 75 consecutive weeks. In 2023, Sabalenka accomplished her two biggest goals as she also became a Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open.
“She deserved it. She had a great season. She won a Grand Slam, was in the final of another Grand Slam and in two semi-finals, so it was an amazing season. I just preferred to focus on other things, because the pressure related to the No 1 spot was a bit overwhelming in the middle of the season.
For this reason, I didn’t play very freely until the US Open, and then I knew that I just had to change this attitude and approach the next tournaments differently, just be a different player who didn’t focus on all that things.
Although I always try to do it, but it doesn’t always work out,” Swiatek told Eurosport Poland.
Swiatek on finishing the year at No 1 ahead of Sabalenka
Going into the…
