Aryna Sabalenka will close out the 2024 season as the world No. 1, marking a significant milestone in her career and a well-deserved achievement following an outstanding year on the WTA Tour. For the Belarusian, this accomplishment is especially notable as it marks the end of a two-year reign of almost unchallenged dominance by Iga Świątek, who had firmly held the top spot since 2022. Sabalenka’s rise to the No. 1 ranking, aided by a change in coach for Świątek and the Polish player’s absence after the US Open, is a testament to the Belarusian’s relentless determination and impressive form in 2024.
The turning point came just weeks ago, when Sabalenka began to make significant headway in the rankings while Świątek struggled with injuries and a coaching change. By the time the WTA Finals in Riyadh began, Sabalenka had already secured a commanding lead over Świątek. However, despite the monumental shift in the rankings, the two players faced off once more in Riyadh, where Sabalenka’s grip on the top spot was solidified.
### **The WTA Finals and Sabalenka’s Historic Journey**
The WTA Finals in Riyadh proved to be a critical moment for both Sabalenka and Świątek in the battle for the No. 1 ranking. With Sabalenka having already qualified for the semi-finals after two wins in as many matches, her quest for her first Masters title remained very much alive. However, Świątek’s path became much more complicated after her defeat to Coco Gauff in the round-robin stage. That loss all but extinguished the chances of Świątek reclaiming the No. 1 position by the end of the season, as Sabalenka’s lead over the Polish star remained substantial—1246 points, with an additional 1100 points up for grabs if Sabalenka were to win the tournament.
Even though Świątek could technically still finish the year as No. 1 if she claimed the WTA Finals title, it would be an incredibly difficult task. She would need to win the competition and hope that Sabalenka faltered, which seemed unlikely given the Belarusian’s strong form. Regardless of the outcome in Riyadh, Świątek would end 2024 in second place, a remarkable achievement in its own right, considering her dominance in recent years.
### **Sabalenka Reflects on Her Rivalry with Świątek**
Aryna Sabalenka has made no secret of her admiration for the fierce competition she shares with Iga Świątek, and in a recent interview with *Arab News*, she reflected on their ongoing rivalry, which has captured the attention of tennis fans around the world. “I think it’s very positive that there is this rivalry,” Sabalenka said. “It’s very competitive, and I really like it because it’s something that pushes me to improve every day. It motivates me mentally and physically. Sport is like that. It would be very boring and uninteresting for the people watching and for us who play if there wasn’t so much equality.”
Sabalenka went on to explain her desire to join the ranks of tennis legends like Serena Williams and Iga Świątek in dominating the sport. “I always wanted to dominate the circuit like Serena did back then, like Iga did for a long time. She’s still very close, everything will be decided after the WTA Finals, so who knows? It’s a very exciting thing and obviously, I want to dominate like they did. I’m trying to focus on myself, improve, and make sure I have the tools necessary to dominate.”
The mutual respect between the two players is evident, and Sabalenka is clearly aware of the competitive environment that drives both herself and Świątek to be better. As both players enter their primes, the rivalry between them promises to shape the landscape of women’s tennis for years to come.
### **Breaking Barriers in Women’s Tennis: The Push for Equal Prize Money**
A defining feature of this year’s WTA Finals in Riyadh is the historic move toward equal prize money for both men and women. The prize pool for the tournament has been set at a remarkable $15 million, the same as the men’s competition. Sabalenka, along with her fellow competitors, has praised this step toward gender equality in tennis.
“It’s crazy. I think we all deserve it,” Sabalenka said. “We have worked as hard as them. We make a lot of sacrifices, even more than the men, and we deserve it.”
This groundbreaking move reflects the significant strides that women’s tennis has made in terms of visibility, representation, and recognition, and Sabalenka’s acknowledgment of the effort and sacrifices made by female athletes is a powerful statement. It is a step forward in the ongoing fight for equal recognition and compensation in sports.
### **Riyadh: A Thrilling and Historic Venue for Women’s Tennis**
The WTA Finals in Riyadh have become a symbol of the changing landscape of women’s sports. Sabalenka herself spoke about the importance of bringing tennis to new regions and inspiring young people around the world. “I have no problem playing here in Saudi Arabia,” she said. “I think it’s important to bring tennis to as many places as possible in the world and inspire young people. In Saudi Arabia, they are making a great effort to promote women’s tennis and improve women’s lives. I’m very happy to be part of something that could be historic.”
As the WTA continues to expand its global reach, the Finals in Riyadh represent a new chapter for women’s tennis, with the event providing a platform for female athletes to compete at the highest level in a region that has made great strides in its support of women’s sports. Sabalenka’s participation in the tournament, along with other top stars, highlights the importance of representation and the progress being made in the tennis world.
### **Looking Ahead: Sabalenka’s Bright Future**
Looking toward the future, Sabalenka’s rise to No. 1 marks a new chapter in her career, but it is far from the end of her journey. With the momentum of winning two Grand Slam titles in 2024—the Australian Open and the US Open—Sabalenka enters the offseason with confidence, knowing that she has the tools to dominate the sport. Her goal of becoming a true dominant force in women’s tennis is clearly within reach, and with her combination of power, mental toughness, and technical skill, she will continue to be a major player in the years to come.
As the 2024 season concludes, Aryna Sabalenka’s ascension to the top of the WTA rankings represents both a personal achievement and a new era in women’s tennis. Her rivalry with Iga Świątek will undoubtedly continue to captivate fans, and the two are poised to push each other to greater heights in the seasons ahead. For now, though, Sabalenka can savor her well-earned position as world No. 1, knowing that this is only the beginning of her quest to dominate the sport.