The Billie Jean King Cup Finals have been a gathering point for tennis’ elite, and tournament director Conchita Martinez has shared her perspective on the current power dynamic at the top of the women’s game. Martinez praised Iga Swiatek’s remarkable consistency but also emphasized that Aryna Sabalenka’s achievements have rightfully earned her the Year-End No. 1 ranking in 2024. The Belarusian’s rise to the top was cemented at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, marking a career milestone and a shift in the ongoing rivalry between the two dominant players.
Sabalenka’s journey to secure the top spot has been nothing short of impressive. The 26-year-old concluded her season with 9,416 ranking points, giving her a comfortable lead over second-ranked Swiatek, who has 8,370 points. This accomplishment is all the more notable considering that just four months ago, Swiatek enjoyed a commanding lead of over 4,000 points in the rankings. However, a combination of factors, including Swiatek’s less-than-stellar performance at the US Open and her decision to skip the Asian swing and two WTA 1000 events, contributed to the shift in the standings.
In contrast, Sabalenka seized her opportunities, capturing titles at the US Open, Cincinnati, and Wuhan. Her form remained strong throughout the latter part of the year, as evidenced by her semifinal finish at the WTA Finals and a quarterfinal run in Beijing. Her triumphs in two Grand Slam events this year—the Australian Open and the US Open—further solidified her status as the season’s standout player. Swiatek, meanwhile, claimed just one Grand Slam title, winning the French Open.
“Right now, it’s clear that they are the dominant players,” Martinez commented from Malaga. “Iga was very dominant by a lot of points for a while, even though Aryna was very close. There are a lot of great players out there that can do very well. It depends on so many things, but Iga was dominating, and I really liked her consistency. I really like how Aryna has gotten so much better in many aspects of her game, fixing her serve and adding more power to her forehand. She’s been playing finals, winning tournaments, so she probably deserves to be there, because Iga didn’t play for a couple of months.”
Martinez, a former world No. 2 and 1994 Wimbledon champion, acknowledged that while Sabalenka and Swiatek are the current front-runners, other players are poised to challenge their dominance. Among these are Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina, two talents who have shown they are more than capable of competing at the highest level. Gauff ended her season on a high note, winning titles in Beijing and the WTA Finals after enduring a rough patch earlier in the year. Rybakina, on the other hand, struggled with injuries and illnesses that limited her playing time in the latter half of 2024 but remains a formidable force when healthy.
“They (Aryna and Iga) are the players to watch, but there are other players like Coco who is playing amazing tennis at the moment,” Martinez continued. “She’s playing so great, so I think she can also do very well. Rybakina is up there if she can fix her health problems and play a lot of tournaments. She’s one player that has already won a Grand Slam and won many tournaments. There are other players that can do very well too—it’s going to be open like that.”
Swiatek, who recently returned to competition in Riyadh following a break after the US Open, has shown grace and sportsmanship in acknowledging Sabalenka’s achievement. “Of course, we are both fighting for the WTA No. 1,” she said upon her arrival. “Yes, it was basically us the last few years. I am in the tournament, and of course, I want to play my best match here and win this tournament. I will just focus on my first match and take everything step by step. Aryna is a great player; she deserves to be No. 1 in the world. I will definitely fight to be there.”
Swiatek also described a rare training session with Sabalenka, noting the mutual respect they share. “It was nice to train with her because we haven’t done it for a while, probably since 2022. It’s been a long time. I don’t really know why, but it was a really good training.”
Meanwhile, Rybakina made her intentions for 2025 crystal clear after a victory over Sabalenka in Riyadh. The sixth-ranked Kazakh, who claimed the 2022 Wimbledon title, is determined to make her mark next season. “My goals are to win Slams, definitely, and the main goal is to become No. 1 one day. So, hopefully next year,” Rybakina stated, signaling her intent to challenge both Sabalenka and Swiatek for supremacy.
As the 2025 season looms, the battle lines are drawn. Sabalenka and Swiatek may lead the charge, but Gauff, Rybakina, and a host of other talented players are eager to make their own marks. Tennis fans can expect intense rivalries, shifting narratives, and thrilling matches as the sport’s best compete for the most coveted titles. For now, Sabalenka reigns as the world No. 1, but the chase is on—and it promises to be a captivating ride.