Aryna Sabalenka, the newly crowned World No. 1, faced a rare moment of self-reflection following her loss to Elena Rybakina in the final round-robin match at the 2023 **WTA Finals**. Despite entering the match with a remarkable record of 22 wins from her last 23 matches and the confidence of three major titles this season, Sabalenka admitted that her motivation was lacking — an honest admission for the world’s top-ranked player. With her spot in the semifinals already secured before stepping onto the court, the Belarusian could not summon the same level of intensity that had driven her through an incredible season.
Her performance against Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, was a stark contrast to her earlier, dominant victories at the WTA Finals. Despite initially leading 3-1 in the first set, Sabalenka ended up losing 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, her serve faltering as she was unable to maintain the necessary concentration.
### Sabalenka’s Honest Self-Assessment: Struggling to Stay Motivated
In her post-match comments, Sabalenka was refreshingly candid about her performance and the emotional challenges she faced.
“Well, honestly, this is something I have to learn,” she began. “How to keep myself motivated and hungry, and being 100% on in these kinds of matches when you know you’re already in the semis, and the only motivation for you is points and money. But that was tricky. And you see someone up on the other side, especially with such a high-level player like Rybakina, who has kind of like nothing to lose, and she was just going for her shots, and everything was going in. Emotionally, the first set, I was kind of off — not kind of, I was really off, and that’s something I have to fix before the semis.”
Her honesty highlighted a very real struggle for athletes at the highest level: staying motivated in matches that, on paper, hold little significance. With the top spot in the **Purple Group** already secured and the **World No. 1** position sealed after **Iga Swiatek’s** loss to **Coco Gauff** earlier in the week, Sabalenka found herself battling not just a tough opponent in Rybakina, but also a lack of internal drive.
### Sabalenka’s Wake-Up Call: Refocusing for the Semis
Despite the setback, Sabalenka is determined to use the loss as a learning experience. Recognizing that her performance in the round-robin stage was a wake-up call, the Belarusian expressed her intent to re-focus on her primary goal for the tournament: winning the prestigious **WTA Finals** for the first time in her career.
“It’s a really great feeling to be No. 1, but I figured that last night, and it didn’t work really well for me tonight, so I just want to focus on the current tournament,” she stated. “I want to stay hungry and stay motivated because it’s a big tournament, and it’s also one of my goals. So, I’ll focus on this goal.”
For Sabalenka, the path to her first **WTA Finals** title is clear: she needs to sharpen her focus, push aside any distractions, and take each match as it comes. She understands that maintaining intensity and motivation will be crucial for the rest of the week, especially as she faces off against some of the best players in the world. As she prepares for her semifinal match, the 26-year-old knows that the road to the title will require a more consistent level of play than she showed against Rybakina.
### The Match Against Rybakina: A Roller Coaster of Emotions
The match against Rybakina in the round-robin phase showcased both Sabalenka’s potential and her vulnerabilities. After taking a 3-1 lead in the first set, the World No. 1 lost her rhythm, dropped serve twice, and ultimately lost the opener. In the second set, Sabalenka mounted a strong comeback, winning three games in a row from 3-3 to force a decider. However, after a tight start in the third set, Sabalenka found herself losing five consecutive games and the match, her game unraveling under the pressure.
It was a tough match for Sabalenka, but Rybakina’s powerful and fearless game was a major factor. For the Kazakh, it was a gratifying victory, especially with the added bonus of securing a win over the world’s top player.
“It was a tough match. I’m really happy I managed to win. It’s nice to finish the year with at least one win against the world No. 1. She has all the chances to win also. Good luck to her,” Rybakina reflected after the match, acknowledging Sabalenka’s incredible season.
### Rybakina Eyes World No. 1 in 2025
Rybakina’s victory against Sabalenka was not just a personal achievement, but also a sign of the rising challenge to Sabalenka’s position at the top of the WTA rankings. The 25-year-old Kazakh, who has already claimed a Grand Slam title at **Wimbledon 2022**, issued a reminder that she is also targeting the **World No. 1** spot in 2025.
“My goals are to win Slams, definitely, and the main goal is to become No. 1 one day. So, hopefully next year,” Rybakina said in her post-match interview. This statement, combined with her strong showing in the WTA Finals, only further heightened the competition at the top of the WTA Tour.
Sabalenka, aware of the potential threat Rybakina poses, took the comments in stride but was clear about her own ambitions. She remains committed to improving her game and ensuring that her hold on the No. 1 ranking remains strong, particularly as the new season approaches.
### Staying Grounded: Sabalenka’s Focus on Her Goals
As the 2023 season draws to a close, Sabalenka’s reflection on the WTA Finals serves as a reminder of the complex emotional and mental aspects of elite sports. While she has reached the pinnacle of the rankings, Sabalenka knows that sustaining that success requires constant focus, dedication, and the ability to manage pressure — something she recognizes she needs to continue working on.
At the start of the tournament, Sabalenka was aware that she had a strong chance to finish the year as No. 1 for the first time in her career. She was in pole position to secure that spot, with a **1,046-point lead over Iga Swiatek**, who had a chance to reclaim the top spot. However, Sabalenka had made it clear in her pre-tournament comments that her primary focus was on the WTA Finals title itself, not just finishing the year as World No. 1.
“No, anytime we come to a tournament, we want to win. That’s the first goal,” she had stated before the event. “I’m trying to be focused on the first part. Then if I’ll be able to finish the year as world No. 1, then it’s amazing, and I’ll be super happy. But I prefer to focus step by step. Let’s just start, like, slowly.”
This steady, focused approach is the key to Sabalenka’s continued success — but the reality is that it’s easy to get distracted when you’ve already achieved so much. For Sabalenka, staying grounded and finding her motivation for every match is crucial if she is to claim her first WTA Finals title and continue her march toward more Grand Slam success in the future.
### Looking Ahead: Sabalenka’s Path to Glory
Now, as Sabalenka prepares for a semifinal clash with **Coco Gauff**, the world No. 1 is laser-focused on achieving her final goal of 2023 — winning the **WTA Finals**. The tournament is one of the most prestigious events in women’s tennis, and for Sabalenka, it’s the one remaining piece of silverware that could cap off an unforgettable season. If she can refocus and push through the mental and emotional challenges, Sabalenka could add the **WTA Finals** trophy to her growing collection — a perfect way to close out what has already been a career-defining year. But with rising stars like Gauff and Rybakina in the mix, Sabalenka knows the competition will be fierce.