Former American tennis player CoCo Vandeweghe has voiced her thoughts on Aryna Sabalenka’s return to the top of the WTA rankings, suggesting that the 26-year-old Belarusian is likely to face unprecedented pressure and scrutiny now that she has reclaimed the world No. 1 spot. Sabalenka’s rise to the top has come on the heels of a sensational year on the court, including two Grand Slam titles and an impressive run of victories, which recently placed her above Poland’s Iga Świątek, who held the top position for much of the year but has been inactive since the US Open.
Vandeweghe, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist known for her powerful play and forthright opinions, recently commented on Sabalenka’s new status in women’s tennis, highlighting the unique challenges that come with being the player everyone else is targeting. “It’s because she has the momentum,” Vandeweghe said. “She’s coming off the US Open, she hasn’t really played much post-US Open.” Vandeweghe’s comments underscore how critical momentum is for top players and how, in contrast, competitors who experienced disappointing losses late in the season may now be even more motivated to take Sabalenka down.
Vandeweghe emphasized that while Sabalenka currently rides a wave of success, several top players are returning to the tour with a sense of unfinished business. She mentioned the likes of Iga Świątek and Jessica Pegula, both of whom suffered disappointing exits at the US Open. “I’m going to drop Iga in that list, I’m going to drop Jessie Pegula in that list – even though Jessie made the finals [of the US Open],” Vandeweghe noted, suggesting that these players have an extra drive, likely feeling that their performances didn’t live up to their expectations.
One of Vandeweghe’s central observations was that Sabalenka is now “the hunted,” a position Świątek has held for much of the past two years. The pressure on Świątek to defend her top spot and fend off challengers like Sabalenka and Pegula has been immense. Now, however, Sabalenka finds herself in that same challenging role, with the additional burden of maintaining her position as the season wraps up and players aim to knock her off the pedestal. “For so long, it’s been Iga that’s had that big target on her back, and everyone’s chasing Iga to take that No. 1 ranking, to beat her on the biggest stages,” Vandeweghe said. “Now, Sabalenka’s going to have that mantle, and what’s she going to be able to do with it? Can she hold onto that? Can she step up to that occasion?”
This year has been a breakout season for Sabalenka, marking a new level of consistency and achievement in her career. For the first time, she captured two Grand Slam titles in the same year, showcasing her growth as a player who can not only win big matches but also handle the pressure on the sport’s biggest stages. Sabalenka started her season in spectacular fashion by winning the Australian Open, where she defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen in the final in commanding fashion, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2. This victory was a turning point for Sabalenka, reinforcing her status as a top contender and silencing any doubts about her mental game, which had occasionally been a point of criticism.
Her performance at the US Open later in the year further cemented her position as a dominant force in women’s tennis. In a hard-fought final, Sabalenka took on Jessica Pegula, the talented American who had been aiming to capture her first Grand Slam title on home soil. Sabalenka prevailed in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, in a match that showcased her resilience and shot-making abilities under immense pressure. The US Open victory not only brought her a second Grand Slam title but also secured her ascent to the top of the WTA rankings, a culmination of years of dedication and grit on the tour.
With Sabalenka at the top, women’s tennis is entering an intriguing phase. Her fierce playing style, marked by aggressive groundstrokes and powerful serves, has made her a standout, but her reign at No. 1 brings a fresh set of challenges. Holding the top spot demands a new level of composure, focus, and resilience. With players like Świątek, Pegula, and other rising stars on the hunt, Sabalenka must adapt to the psychological pressure of being the player everyone wants to beat.
Vandeweghe’s insight into the shifting dynamics of women’s tennis reflects the fluid and competitive nature of the sport. Unlike previous eras where a few dominant players ruled for extended periods, today’s WTA landscape is marked by greater depth and competition. Świątek’s impressive tenure at the top was consistently tested by players hungry for their breakthrough moment, and Sabalenka now faces a similar challenge. However, Sabalenka’s recent performances indicate she may be more than capable of shouldering this responsibility. Her newfound confidence and refined mental toughness have become evident as she navigates high-stakes matches, relying on her physicality and mental fortitude to outlast her opponents.
The upcoming season promises a thrilling narrative: can Sabalenka consolidate her position at the top, or will her competitors manage to exploit her target status and dethrone her? Vandeweghe’s comments offer a reminder that tennis is as much a mental game as it is physical, and for Sabalenka, the journey of maintaining the world No. 1 ranking will require constant evolution. As the season winds down and the 2024 tournaments wrap up, Sabalenka will have little time to rest; instead, she’ll be preparing for a fresh slate of challenges, with all eyes on her performance as the sport’s newest leading figure.
In the end, Sabalenka’s ability to maintain her momentum, embrace the challenges of her new role, and fend off eager competitors will shape her legacy. The road ahead is filled with potential, but it will undoubtedly require her to channel the same determination and resilience that led her to the top. As the hunted rather than the hunter, Sabalenka’s story is just beginning, and tennis fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see how she handles the weight of being the world’s best.