In the ever-evolving world of women’s tennis, where new stars emerge each season, two players have managed to rise above the fray in 2024 with exceptional consistency and dominance: Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. According to former world No. 1 Dinara Safina, these two players stood out as the only ones who maintained their performance “almost without slumps” throughout the year. This assessment underscores the exceptional seasons both players had, setting them apart from their peers in an era Safina perceives as less stable than her own.
A Season of Triumphs and Records
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek’s 2024 campaigns were marked by Grand Slam victories, numerous titles, and a fierce battle for the coveted world No. 1 ranking. For the second consecutive year, they finished the season occupying the top two spots in the WTA rankings, with Sabalenka narrowly edging out Swiatek. The Belarusian star secured 9,416 ranking points, while the Polish powerhouse ended the year with 8,370 points. Their dominance created a substantial gap between them and world No. 3 Coco Gauff, who trailed Swiatek by nearly 2,000 points.
Sabalenka’s year was highlighted by her successful defense of the Australian Open title, where she showcased her signature power and resilience. Adding to her impressive resume, she also claimed victory at the US Open, further cementing her status as one of the most formidable players on the tour. In total, Sabalenka captured four WTA titles and registered 56 match wins, placing her second only to Swiatek in both categories.
Swiatek, meanwhile, continued her reign as the queen of clay, winning Roland Garros for the third consecutive year. This victory marked her fourth French Open title, a remarkable feat that places her among the greatest clay-court players of all time. Beyond her Grand Slam success, Swiatek claimed five WTA titles and notched an astounding 64 match wins, both the highest totals on the tour in 2024.
Safina’s Perspective: Stability in Comparison
Dinara Safina, who reached the pinnacle of the sport in the late 2000s, offers a unique perspective on the current WTA landscape. Competing in an era dominated by the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin, and Kim Clijsters, Safina witnessed firsthand a level of consistency that she believes is lacking in today’s tour. In an interview with Championat, she expressed her admiration for Swiatek and Sabalenka’s ability to maintain a high level of performance throughout the year.
“In my time, there were more stable players,” Safina explained. “There were Serena and Venus Williams, Davenport, Mauresmo, Henin, Sharapova, Clijsters, and so on. Everyone was stable all year round; they rarely had easy losses. The top 10 was very tight, you couldn’t touch the girls. And now, someone can fail three or four tournaments and then return to the top 10.”
This observation highlights a broader trend in the WTA, where consistency is harder to come by. Players like Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, and Zheng Qinwen have all had impressive moments but struggled to maintain the week-to-week dominance that defined the careers of past legends. According to Safina, only Swiatek and Sabalenka have managed to replicate that level of consistency in 2024.
The Journey to the Top: Challenges and Triumphs
Both Swiatek and Sabalenka have faced significant challenges on their paths to the top. Swiatek’s rise has been marked by an extraordinary mental fortitude and a relentless work ethic. Since bursting onto the scene with her first Roland Garros title in 2020, she has continued to evolve, adding new dimensions to her game and solidifying her position as the player to beat on clay. Her 2024 season demonstrated her ability to excel on all surfaces, with deep runs at both the Australian Open and US Open complementing her clay-court dominance.
Sabalenka’s journey has been equally compelling. Known for her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive playing style, she has had to overcome mental hurdles and refine her approach to achieve consistent success. Her back-to-back Australian Open titles are a testament to her growth and resilience. The US Open victory, in particular, showcased her ability to handle pressure and perform on the biggest stages.
A Missed Coaching Opportunity with Sabalenka
Interestingly, Safina revealed that she nearly had the opportunity to coach Sabalenka in 2019. Reflecting on the moment, she shared, “[It was] about full-fledged cooperation. We talked about Aryna in 2019, right before the US Open. She had just finished working with Dmitry Tursunov. And her agent called me and said that there was such an option, but she had to fly out immediately and start preparing for the US Open. I said that I couldn’t do that.”
This anecdote offers a glimpse into the world of professional tennis coaching, where decisions often need to be made quickly and commitments are significant. Safina’s hesitation to jump into such a role on short notice is understandable, especially considering the demands of coaching at the highest level. Nevertheless, she expressed empathy for Sabalenka’s urgency, recalling her own experiences as a player: “I behaved the same way when I was a player. I also said: ‘I need a coach tomorrow!’”
The Future of Women’s Tennis
As the 2024 season concludes, the dominance of Swiatek and Sabalenka raises important questions about the future of women’s tennis. Will the next generation be able to challenge their supremacy and bring the kind of stability that defined the previous era? Players like Gauff, Pegula, Rybakina, and Qinwen have the talent, but consistency remains the key.
For now, Swiatek and Sabalenka stand as the standard-bearers of excellence in the WTA. Their rivalry, marked by mutual respect and fierce competition, promises to define the sport for years to come. As Dinara Safina’s reflections remind us, greatness in tennis is not just about individual victories but about the ability to perform at a high level, week in and week out. In this regard, Swiatek and Sabalenka have set the bar high, leaving the rest of the tour with a challenging benchmark to meet.
Leave a Reply