Iga Swiatek has been counting her losses as lessons in recent times. The change in her perspective had started during this year’s US Open. Swiatek lost early, and the fans were questioning her dominance in the game. She lost her world No.1 ranking, which further brought in doubts about her game. Swiatek also put a post about the loss in the event and also changed her mindset about the tour.
The world No.2 revealed that her mindset before the US Open was to play as many events on tour. Swiatek wanted to extend her stay at the top of the rankings. She said, “Before the US Open I was torn about whether I wanted to continue trying, play every tournament to fight to finish the year at #1 in the world.” But now she has realized that there is more to the game than rankings and titles.
Iga Swiatek says she was torn on if she wanted to play every tournament to chase the #1 ranking:
“Before the US Open I was torn about whether I wanted to continue trying, play every tournament to fight to finish the year at #1 in the world. After the US Open I realized there… pic.twitter.com/dW7UIHUD6x
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 4, 2023
The Polish player had spent 75 consecutive weeks as the world’s best player. She was then dethroned by Aryna Sabalenka, who reached the finals of the US Open. Sabalenka had spent 32 weeks as No.2 before finally capturing the crown. Swiatek is 1,000 points behind Sabalenka and has a 2,000-point lead over third-ranked Coco Gauff.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are adapting to changes in rankings
The ongoing China Open is seeing the top players on the WTA tour giving their best to end the season with as many points as possible. Swiatek will be facing Caroline Garcia for a place in the semifinals. Sabalenka is pitted against Elena Rybakina for a potential semifinal showdown against Jelena Ostapenko. The Belarusian has 53 wins this season, while the world No.2 has 60 wins this season.
Sabalenka has at least reached the semifinals or better in the last five grand slams. Swiatek has not faced a third-round exit in the last five majors. Both players have won a grand slam this season. The 22-year-old has won four titles in 2023, and Sabalenka has won three titles. The 25-year-old is expected to finish the season on top of the tour unless Swiatek wins the WTA finals and the China Open.
Aryna Sabalenka was sad after Iga Swiatek’s defeat at the US Open.
She wanted to battle for the world No.1 spot on court ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/2es7R0bnYm
— Eurosport (@eurosport) September 5, 2023
The chances are slim for the four-time grand slam champion as Sabalenka also has to lose early. She has already reached the quarterfinals in Beijing, just like Swiatek. Gauff is also new to the grand slam race but seems to pose a threat in the rankings. The WTA tour holds multiple possibilities in grand slams as well as rankings in the 2024 season.
