Aryna Sabalenka has officially dethroned Iga Świątek to reclaim her position as the No. 1 player in women’s tennis. The Belarusian star has had a remarkable 2024 season, culminating in major triumphs, including the Australian Open title in January and a stunning victory at the US Open in September. These victories, along with her consistent performance throughout the year, have solidified her spot at the top of the WTA rankings, a position she first held for nearly eight weeks last year before Świątek overtook her at the 2023 WTA Finals.
Sabalenka’s return to the top comes after a rollercoaster season marked by both professional highs and personal growth. Her resilience, skill, and mental fortitude have been key factors in her journey back to No. 1, as she fended off tough competition from Świątek, who had dominated much of the women’s tour over the past two years. With 9,706 points, Sabalenka narrowly surpassed Świątek, who dropped to second place with 9,665 points, marking a significant shift in the WTA rankings.
Sabalenka took to Twitter shortly after seeing the updated rankings, posting a playful yet determined message: “N1…Let’s see for how long this time.” This tweet hinted at her recognition of the tough battle ahead to maintain her top spot, especially with Świątek and other rising stars aiming to challenge her. Despite the ups and downs, Sabalenka remains laser-focused on staying at the pinnacle of women’s tennis.
Her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, has been an essential part of Sabalenka’s support system throughout her journey. Frangulis, the founder of the acai brand Oakberry, shared a heartwarming post on Instagram after her latest achievement. He posted a screenshot of the WTA rankings showing Sabalenka in first place, accompanied by the caption, “N1 in my heart and N1 in the world. F–k, so romantic I am. You are the best meu amor @arynasabalenka.” This message highlighted both his deep affection for Sabalenka and his pride in her accomplishments on the court.
Sabalenka’s personal and professional lives have been intertwined in 2024, with Frangulis often by her side during tournaments and sharing in her successes. The couple has been dating since April 2024, and their relationship has been marked by numerous public displays of affection and mutual support. After her Cincinnati Open victory earlier this year, Frangulis posted a picture of the two of them on social media, captioning it, “Much much deserved. (Somehow you look even prettier with that trophy smile).” Moments like these show the close bond between Sabalenka and Frangulis, who has been a constant source of encouragement throughout the year.
Their relationship has garnered attention not just for the romantic gestures, but also for the emotional stability it has provided Sabalenka during one of the most challenging and rewarding seasons of her career. After winning the 2024 US Open, Frangulis shared a series of photos celebrating her win, referring to her as the “Queen of NY” in one of his captions. Sabalenka, in turn, has frequently expressed her gratitude for his unwavering support.
In a candid interview with *PEOPLE* magazine in September, Sabalenka opened up about the impact Frangulis has had on her life and career. “I am really happy to have him by my side, always cheering me up, always making sure that we are doing some fun stuff. But I make sure I kind of forget about tennis and focus on the good things and enjoy my life. Even when things are going wrong in my career. So yeah, he was my biggest support, and yeah, really happy to have him by my side,” she shared. This partnership has been crucial in helping Sabalenka navigate the pressures of life on the professional tennis circuit, where balancing personal happiness with career demands is often a challenge.
Sabalenka’s success on the court in 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. In addition to her Grand Slam victories, she also won the Wuhan Open in October, defeating China’s Qinwen Zheng in a hard-fought final, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Her win in Wuhan came just days before she and Frangulis were spotted enjoying a shopping date in Dubai, further showcasing their close bond. Sabalenka shared glimpses of their time together on Instagram, captioning one photo with, “@georgiosfrangulis Evening shopping with meu amor.”
The couple’s relationship has been filled with many such heartwarming moments, from Frangulis cheering Sabalenka on from the stands to her blowing him kisses after her Italian Open win earlier in the year. Their relationship has been one of the feel-good stories of the 2024 tennis season, with fans eagerly following their journey both on and off the court.
As the year draws to a close, Sabalenka will undoubtedly be looking to finish on a high note by maintaining her No. 1 ranking and potentially adding more titles to her already impressive resume. However, her competition with Świątek is far from over. The Polish star has proven time and time again that she can rise to the occasion, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the two battling it out for the top spot again before the season ends.
For now, though, Sabalenka can savor her return to the throne, backed by the love and support of her fans—and her boyfriend. With her combination of power, skill, and emotional resilience, she has all the tools to stay at the top for as long as she desires. The tennis world will be watching closely to see if Sabalenka can hold onto her crown or if Świątek will mount another challenge, setting up an exciting conclusion to the 2024 season.