Aryna Sabalenka’s return to the highest of the WTA rankings, overtaking Iga Swiatek, has ignited a fierce battle for the coveted year-end No. 1 spot.
With the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia looming subsequent month, all eyes are on the Belarusian as she seeks to solidify her place in what guarantees to be a nail-biting end to the season.
Sabalenka’s 2023 marketing campaign has been nothing wanting spectacular.
Defending her Australian Open crown in January and lifting the U.S. Open trophy in September, she additionally secured titles in Cincinnati and Wuhan, making her the participant to beat.
Her present type and achievements have catapulted her to the highest, the place she hopes to remain longer this time round.
On Monday, after the newest rankings have been revealed, Sabalenka took to X (previously Twitter) with a playful but decided submit: “N1… Let’s see for how long this time.”
Meanwhile, Swiatek’s fatigue-induced determination to skip the tour’s Asian swing has taken a toll. WTA mandates participation in six WTA 500 occasions, however Swiatek, the French Open champion, will solely handle two this season.
This determination, mixed with rating penalties, noticed her slide beneath Sabalenka within the standings.
Sabalenka at the moment holds 9,706 factors, a slim lead over Swiatek’s 9,665, forward of the Finals in Riyadh.
The Finals, set for Nov. 2-9 on onerous courts, supply 1,500 factors to the winner, which means the race for No. 1 stays huge open.
The high eight singles gamers and doubles groups will compete, and with Swiatek again in motion, Sabalenka’s keep on the summit might be examined.
Interestingly, Sabalenka may also miss this week’s occasions following her Wuhan victory, doubtlessly dropping floor attributable to her restricted participation in WTA 500 tournaments.
Despite this, her focus is firmly on the Finals, the place the season’s defining moments will seemingly unfold.
Osaka’s absence
In different WTA news, Japan’s Naomi Osaka has confirmed she is going to miss subsequent month’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Spain as she continues to recuperate from a number of accidents.
The four-time Grand Slam champion had been one of many marquee names anticipated to compete in Malaga from Nov. 13-20.
However, ongoing points along with her again and stomach have compelled her to sit down out.
“I thought I had strained my back, but after an MRI in Beijing, they told me I had a bulged disc and ruptured abdominal muscles,” Osaka revealed throughout a press convention in Tokyo. “I’ve played so many tournaments this year, and it was the toughest decision to not play this and not play BJK.”
Osaka’s again damage, sustained on the China Open, sidelined her from the Japan Open and Pan Pacific Open, including to what has been a difficult season since her return from maternity go away.
Currently ranked 56th, the previous world No. 1 is seeking to regroup and recuperate in time for subsequent 12 months’s Australian Open.
Osaka not too long ago made headlines by teaming up with famend coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ former mentor, after parting methods with longtime coach Wim Fissette.
Source: www.dailysabah.com