World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka have beaten Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams’ record of most wins in a calendar year at the WTA 1000 level. The duo chalked up a combined total of 58 wins this year, including six WTA 1000 titles on tour.
While Sabalenka was recently seen competing in the Wuhan Open, Swiatek hasn’t featured on tour since a quarterfinal exit in New York. The Pole was eliminated by Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
Tennis legends Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams previously held the record with 57 wins at the WTA 1000 level in the 2013 season. Nine years later, Swiatek and Sabalenka have surpassed that tally with 58 wins in their locker.
Sharapova and Williams dominated women’s tennis for almost two decades from the early 2000s to the late 2020s. Both players had a phenomenal run during the 2013 season. While the Russian chalked up a title-winning run in Indian Wells, Williams claimed the honors in Miami, Madrid, Rome and Toronto. The American outclassed Sorana Cirstea to lift the title in the Canada Open, 6-2, 6-0.
Meanwhile, Swiatek and Sabalenka have dominated the tour this season. The Pole won titles in Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, and Rome, while Sabalenka excelled in Cincinnati and Wuhan. The duo also captured three out of four Majors this year, with Swiatek winning her fourth title in Paris and Sabalenka finding success in Melbourne and New York.
Both players are also battling for the No. 1 spot in the WTA rankings this year. Sabalenka is less than 100 points behind Swiatek thanks to her recent performances in New York and Wuhan.
The 26-year-old entered the Wuhan Open on the back of a quarterfinal exit in Beijing. She outfoxed the likes of Yulia Putintseva, Magdalena Frech and Coco Gauff en route to the finals and then overpowered Zheng Qinwen to lift the title. The top seed defeated the Chinese Qinwen in a thrilling three-set bout, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have faced each other three times on the main tour this year
Aryna Sabalenka and Swiatek on the women's tour – Day Thirteen –
Iga Swiatek leads the head-to-head against Aryna Sabalenka 2-1 this year. She defeated the Belarusian in the finals of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, outsmarted the Pole in the semifinal of the Cincinnati Open this year. She eliminated the Pole in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
Both players have also qualified for the WTA Finals in Riyadh at the end of the year. It will be interesting to see who finishes the year at the top of the WTA Rankings.
While there is no confirmation from either player, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka could feature in the Tokyo Pan Pacific Open next.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, two of the most dominant forces in women’s tennis, have rewritten history by surpassing Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams’ record for the most wins at the WTA 1000 level in a single calendar year. The combined total of 58 wins achieved by the Polish and Belarusian stars this season has eclipsed the previous record of 57 set by Sharapova and Williams in 2013. Swiatek and Sabalenka’s extraordinary performances, including six WTA 1000 titles, have defined the 2024 season as one of the most competitive and thrilling in recent years.
This remarkable feat highlights the incredible consistency and dominance both Swiatek and Sabalenka have shown on the tour throughout the year. While Aryna Sabalenka recently showcased her form at the Wuhan Open, where she captured another prestigious title, Swiatek has not been seen in competition since her quarterfinal exit at the US Open, where she fell to Jessica Pegula in a straight-sets defeat, 6-2, 6-4. Despite this loss, Swiatek’s overall season has been nothing short of spectacular, as she continues to set new benchmarks in women’s tennis.
The 2013 season, when Sharapova and Williams established their previous record, is widely regarded as a golden era in women’s tennis. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, two of the sport’s biggest icons, dominated the WTA 1000 events. Williams claimed victories in four prestigious tournaments: Miami, Madrid, Rome, and Toronto. Her victory in Toronto was particularly emphatic, as she dismantled Sorana Cirstea with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 win in the final. Sharapova, meanwhile, took home the title in Indian Wells, adding to her legendary résumé. The duo’s total of 57 WTA 1000 wins that year stood as a symbol of their near-total dominance on the tour, but now Swiatek and Sabalenka have moved past them in the record books.
Swiatek and Sabalenka’s journey to this record-breaking achievement has been nothing short of phenomenal. The 23-year-old Swiatek has had another standout year, continuing to build on her already impressive list of accomplishments. She captured titles in Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, and Rome, reaffirming her position as one of the best clay-court players of her generation and expanding her dominance on hard courts. In addition to her WTA 1000 success, Swiatek also clinched her fourth Grand Slam title at the French Open, further cementing her legacy in the sport.
On the other hand, Aryna Sabalenka has been a force to be reckoned with as well, claiming titles in Cincinnati and Wuhan, while also making deep runs at numerous tournaments. Sabalenka’s season reached new heights when she captured her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in Melbourne. She followed this up by winning the US Open, adding another major to her growing collection and firmly establishing herself as a leading contender in women’s tennis. Her victory over Zheng Qinwen in the final of the Wuhan Open, where she triumphed 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in a thrilling match, was another testament to her fighting spirit and resilience on the court.
The battle for the World No. 1 spot between Swiatek and Sabalenka has been one of the most captivating narratives in tennis this season. Currently, Iga Swiatek holds the top ranking, but Sabalenka is close on her heels, trailing by fewer than 100 ranking points. The rivalry between these two elite athletes has sparked intense competition, as they both vie for the coveted year-end No. 1 ranking. With both players set to participate in the WTA Finals in Riyadh, this contest promises to reach its climax, adding even more intrigue to an already exciting season finale.
The rivalry between Swiatek and Sabalenka has not only been about their battle for the No. 1 ranking, but also about their head-to-head matchups on the court. The two have faced each other three times this season, with Swiatek leading 2-1 in their head-to-head record. Swiatek emerged victorious in the finals of both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, defeating Sabalenka in straight sets on both occasions. However, Sabalenka got her revenge at the Cincinnati Open, where she outplayed Swiatek in the semifinal, winning 6-3, 6-3. This back-and-forth rivalry has kept fans on the edge of their seats, with each encounter proving to be a high-stakes affair between two of the best in the game.
As the 2024 season draws to a close, both Swiatek and Sabalenka are expected to continue their fierce competition on the tour. While neither player has confirmed their participation in the upcoming Tokyo Pan Pacific Open, there is speculation that both could feature in the event as they prepare for the year-end WTA Finals. Whether Swiatek can hold on to her No. 1 ranking or Sabalenka will overtake her remains to be seen, but what is certain is that these two extraordinary players will continue to push each other to new heights.
In a year where women’s tennis has seen record-breaking performances and thrilling rivalries, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have stood out as the leading figures. By surpassing the record set by legends Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, the duo has etched their names in tennis history. Their battle for supremacy is far from over, and the world will be watching as they continue to shape the future of the sport.