World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has set her sights on dominating women’s tennis in the same way that American tennis legend Serena Williams and her closest rival, Poland’s Iga Świątek, have done. The 26-year-old Belarusian, currently competing in the prestigious WTA Finals in Riyadh, expressed her ambition to follow in the footsteps of two of the sport’s most influential figures. As one of the eight top-ranked players in women’s tennis, Sabalenka is determined to leave her mark on the sport, aspiring to achieve the same level of dominance and consistency that has defined the careers of both Williams and Świątek.
In a recent interview with *Arab News*, Sabalenka opened up about her career goals and her desire to become a force to be reckoned with in women’s tennis. She explained that she had always aspired to reach the level of greatness demonstrated by Williams, who ruled the sport for over two decades, and Świątek, who has become a dominant force on the WTA Tour in recent years.
“I always wanted to dominate the tour like Serena [Williams] did, like Iga was able to do for so long,” Sabalenka said. “And she’s still close, it’s all going to be decided after this tournament, so who knows? But it’s really inspiring and of course, I want to dominate the tour like they did. But I’m trying to focus on myself, on improving myself, to make sure that I have all of the tools to dominate the tour as they did.”
Sabalenka’s drive to emulate these two tennis icons reflects her deep understanding of what it takes to become a long-term contender in women’s tennis. Williams, who retired in 2022 after a storied career that saw her win 23 Grand Slam singles titles, remains one of the sport’s most dominant figures in history. Świątek, the current world No. 1 as of the end of the 2023 season, has quickly ascended to tennis superstardom, showcasing an exceptional mix of power, consistency, and mental fortitude.
### Sabalenka’s Rise to No. 1
Sabalenka’s goal to follow in the footsteps of such legendary figures comes after a stellar season, one that saw her take the top spot in the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. Sabalenka, known for her aggressive baseline game and powerful serving, has long been one of the most formidable forces on the women’s tour. Her rise to No. 1 has been fueled by her consistent results across all surfaces, as well as her ability to compete at the highest level, particularly in the later stages of major tournaments.
Her performance in 2024 has shown the world that Sabalenka is more than just a powerful player—she is a multi-faceted athlete, capable of withstanding the physical and mental demands of the sport. At the 2024 US Open, Sabalenka fought her way through a tough field to claim her first Grand Slam title, cementing her place as one of the sport’s elite players.
Despite her success, Sabalenka recognizes that the journey to true dominance is not without its challenges. She knows that staying at the top requires constant improvement, both mentally and physically, and she is committed to making sure she has the tools necessary to maintain her status as the world’s best. In fact, Sabalenka believes that her rivalry with Świątek is one of the key driving forces behind her desire to improve. She sees Świątek, who has been a consistent presence at the top of the rankings, as a valuable source of inspiration and motivation.
### The Rivalry with Świątek: A Healthy Competitive Spirit
Speaking about her rivalry with Świątek, Sabalenka emphasized the importance of competition in driving both players to greater heights. Over the past few seasons, the rivalry between the two women has become one of the most exciting storylines in women’s tennis. Both players bring unique qualities to the court, with Sabalenka offering raw power and intensity, while Świątek’s game is marked by tactical intelligence and incredible movement.
Sabalenka acknowledges that this rivalry has pushed both her and Świątek to continuously improve. “I think, first of all, it’s really great that we have this rivalry,” Sabalenka said. “It’s really competitive and I really love it because this is something that forces us to improve and forces us to get better every day, and what motivates us to keep working, keep trying to find something else, to keep improving yourself—mentally, physically. That’s great, I love it. That’s what sport is all about. It would be so boring and not interesting to watch for people and for us to play if it wouldn’t be that tight.”
The two players have met numerous times in high-stakes matches, and their clashes have consistently lived up to the hype. Whether it’s the intensity of their matches at Grand Slam events or the high level of play in WTA 1000 tournaments, each meeting adds another layer to their growing rivalry. Sabalenka’s focus is on improving her game with the goal of outlasting her rivals, but she also understands that this rivalry with Świątek is what makes tennis so compelling for fans.
### Looking Ahead: Sabalenka’s Continued Quest for Dominance
As the 2024 season draws to a close with the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Sabalenka finds herself once again at the top of the rankings. But despite her achievements, she remains hungry for more. The WTA Finals, which bring together the top eight players in the world, serve as the ultimate proving ground for Sabalenka, Świątek, and the other elite competitors in the women’s game.
For Sabalenka, winning the WTA Finals would be another step toward solidifying her place as a dominant force in tennis. However, she is also aware of the broader journey ahead. Dominating the sport requires consistency across multiple seasons, adaptability to changing conditions, and the ability to handle the pressure of high expectations. It’s a challenge that Sabalenka is eager to take on, especially with the example of Williams’ and Świątek’s careers before her.
As she continues to evolve as a player, Sabalenka will have to refine her mental approach to the game while maintaining the aggressive playing style that has made her so dangerous. Her ability to balance these two aspects of her game will determine whether she can fulfill her ultimate goal of dominating women’s tennis.
With her determination, competitive spirit, and willingness to learn, Sabalenka is positioned to be one of the defining players of her generation. The road ahead may be long, but if she can continue to push herself in the way that both Serena Williams and Iga Świątek have done, Sabalenka could soon join the ranks of those who have truly defined the sport for years to come.