Iga Swiatek, the 23-year-old Polish tennis star, has achieved yet another remarkable milestone in her already illustrious career, joining an elite list of players with multiple stints at the top of the WTA rankings for more than 50 weeks. Despite not playing much recently, Swiatek’s consistency and dominance over the past few years have secured her place alongside some of the greatest names in tennis history, including Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Monica Seles, and Martina Hingis. This week, Swiatek began her 125th week as the world No. 1, marking a new chapter in her reign at the top of women’s tennis.
Swiatek first claimed the No. 1 spot in April 2022 and held it for 75 consecutive weeks, an impressive feat for any player, let alone someone so young. Since then, she has solidified her place as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Her return to the No. 1 ranking in 2024, following a brief stint where she was overtaken by rival Aryna Sabalenka, is a testament to her remarkable consistency and ability to perform at the highest level. As of now, Swiatek is the seventh player in WTA history to achieve multiple stints of 50 or more weeks at the top, joining the illustrious company of tennis legends.
Swiatek’s journey to No. 1 has been marked by extraordinary achievements. She has already won five Grand Slam titles, including two French Opens and a US Open, cementing her status as one of the best players of her generation. However, her path to continued success has not been without challenges. Over the summer, Swiatek’s lead over second-ranked Sabalenka began to shrink, and by October 2024, the gap between the two had narrowed to just 69 points. Sabalenka, who has been on a hot streak, winning the US Open and two WTA 1000 titles in Cincinnati and Wuhan, has emerged as Swiatek’s fiercest rival for the No. 1 spot.
The competition between Swiatek and Sabalenka has added a thrilling dimension to women’s tennis in 2024. Both players have won two Grand Slam titles this season, with Swiatek triumphing at the Australian Open and US Open, and Sabalenka claiming victories at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. While Swiatek holds a slight edge in the overall WTA rankings, Sabalenka leads the WTA Race to the Finals, with 9,091 points compared to Swiatek’s 8,285. The race for the year-end No. 1 ranking is far from over, and the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh could determine who finishes the season on top.
Swiatek’s decision to take a break after her US Open quarterfinal loss has been a crucial factor in the tightening rankings race. After her defeat in New York, the Polish star opted to skip several key tournaments, including the WTA 500 event in Seoul and back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan. During this time, she also made a significant change to her team, parting ways with her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after three successful years together. This period of rest and reflection has allowed Sabalenka to close the gap in the rankings, but Swiatek remains determined to defend her position.
Despite the intense competition, Sabalenka has expressed her admiration for Swiatek and her desire to face the Polish star on the court. After winning the Wuhan Open, Sabalenka acknowledged that the rankings battle is close but emphasized that she is focused on her own game. “Of course, it’s one of the goals,” Sabalenka said, referring to the No. 1 ranking, “but I prefer to focus on myself and just keep working hard.” She also expressed her hope that Swiatek would return to top form soon, saying, “I love having this competition… I love seeing her in the draw.”
Sabalenka’s rise to prominence has been one of the defining stories of the 2024 season. After spending just eight weeks as the world No. 1 following her US Open victory, she has made it clear that she is hungry for more. The 26-year-old Belarusian has embraced the rivalry with Swiatek, viewing it as beneficial for both players and for the sport of women’s tennis. “Especially having this rivalry with Iga is something big for tennis and something much needed in women’s tennis,” Sabalenka said. “To keep this competition going would be really good for the sport.”
As the WTA Finals approach, Swiatek is expected to make her return to action at the inaugural tournament in Riyadh, which runs from November 2-9. The event will be crucial in determining whether she can retain her No. 1 ranking heading into 2025. If Swiatek manages to win all her matches at the WTA Finals, she could secure her place as the top-ranked player for the start of the new season. However, Sabalenka’s form and determination mean that the battle for the top spot is far from over, and much will depend on how both players perform in Riyadh.
In the meantime, Swiatek’s legacy continues to grow. Her ability to maintain such a high level of play over multiple seasons and her multiple stints at No. 1 put her in an elite class of tennis players. Whether or not she finishes 2024 as the world No. 1, Swiatek has already cemented her place in tennis history. As the rivalry between Swiatek and Sabalenka heats up, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters between these two phenomenal athletes in the months and years to come.