Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, stands on the brink of tennis history as she competes in the 2025 Madrid Open final. The Belarusian powerhouse, known for her thunderous groundstrokes and unrelenting intensity, is one victory away from surpassing 11,000 WTA ranking points—a feat achieved by only two women in the modern era: Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek. With a commanding lead in the rankings and a season marked by unparalleled consistency, Sabalenka’s clash with Coco Gauff in Madrid on May 3, 2025, could cement her place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Sabalenka’s ascent to the top has been nothing short of spectacular. Over the past 52 weeks, she has dominated the WTA Tour, capturing the US Open, three WTA 1000 titles, and the WTA 500 Brisbane event. She also reached the Australian Open final and five additional finals, four at the WTA 1000 level. “I think I have better understanding of my game, of my weapons and how to manage my emotions,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on her evolution. Her 56-14 record in 2024, nearly identical to her 55-14 mark in 2023, underscores her consistency, a quality she credits for her rise. “Consistency and overcoming some tough, challenging situations,” she noted, when asked what has defined her success.
Currently holding 10,768 points, Sabalenka needs just one more win to reach 11,118, placing her third behind Williams’ record of 13,615 set in 2013 and Swiatek’s 11,695 from 2024. The Madrid title would not only elevate her into this elite company but also widen her lead over Swiatek, who trails by over 3,000 points. “I think it’s motivating and inspiring how much better she’s gotten,” said Jessica Pegula, the world No. 7, praising Sabalenka’s growth. Her path to the final has been formidable, with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Anna Blinkova showcasing her ability to dominate on Madrid’s high-altitude clay, a surface where she thrives. “It’s really cool to play and hopefully really cool to watch for people,” Sabalenka said of her intense battles, particularly against Swiatek, whom she defeated in the 2023 Madrid final.
Sabalenka’s journey to this moment has been defined by resilience. A shoulder injury forced her to miss Wimbledon in 2024, a setback that could have derailed her season. Instead, she returned stronger, sweeping the hard-court majors at the Australian Open and US Open. “Missing Wimbledon for sure, must have been frustrating,” Swiatek acknowledged, noting Sabalenka’s freshness as a key factor in her US Open triumph. Her decision to prioritize recovery, guided by coach Anton Dubrov’s focus on “maximum opportunity,” paid dividends. “I wasn’t ready for that sort of pressure, for the expectations,” Sabalenka admitted, referencing her brief stint as No. 1 in 2023. Now, mentally fortified, she embraces the target on her back, as former player Coco Vandeweghe observed: “Aryna is the hunted.”
Looking ahead, Sabalenka faces few points to defend until after Wimbledon, with only quarterfinal showings at Roland Garros and no appearance at the All England Club in 2024. A strong clay season could see her challenge Swiatek’s 11,695-point benchmark, with 3,570 points available at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Yet, her immediate focus is Madrid, where she aims to claim her third title at the Caja Mágica. “I have to be proud of myself,” she said, reflecting on her season. “I won two majors. I finished the year world No. 1, as I wanted last year, but I didn’t succeed.”
As Sabalenka prepares to face Gauff, who stunned Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals, the tennis world watches with bated breath. A victory would not only secure her place in the record books but also affirm her status as the sport’s dominant force. With Swiatek regrouping under new coach Wim Fissette and Gauff emerging as a formidable threat, Sabalenka’s pursuit of greatness is pushing women’s tennis to new heights, just as Williams and Swiatek did before her.
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