Aryna Sabalenka admits being World No.1 doesn’t add more pressure on her, rather “it’s a privilege”

Aryna Sabalenka leads Iga Swiatek with 2,231 points at the top of the WTA rankings after the Indian Wells Open.

Aryna Sabalenka admits being World No.1 doesn’t add more pressure on her, rather “it’s a privilege”

Aryna Sabalenka (Image via WTA/X)

Aryna Sabalenka has solidified her place as the World No.1 of the WTA rankings since surpassing Iga Swiatek in October last year. The Belarusian has been one of the most in-form players on the Tour this season, but she’s yet to win a title since January. The US Open champion has revealed that she doesn’t feel any pressure at the top of the ranking.

Sabalenka overtook Swiatek at the top of the WTA rankings after winning the Cincinnati Open, US Open, and Wuhan Open. The Polish star had suffered a dip in form throughout that period and was away from the Asian swing while serving a one-month suspension for testing positive for trimetazidine in August.

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The Belarusian has maintained the World No.1 position despite Swiatek’s threat to claim it back. In fact, she now leads with a 2,231-point gap over the World No.2 Swiatek. It will take a run of poor form to see the Polish star close the gap and overtake Sabalenka. However, World No.1’s always feel the pressure of losing their position.

But that’s not the same with Sabalenka. She revealed during her press conference in Miami, that she doesn’t feel any pressure in the World No.1 position but rather sees it as a privilege.

I think I am where I am supposed to be, and I am super happy to see myself in this position because I have worked, I never say it, but I have worked very hard to get where I am now. It’s not pressure for me. It is very nice to be in this position. Let’s say that being an athlete is already a lot of pressure. I focus on myself, not on pressure moments. I think if you are willing to focus on yourself and focus on improving, there is no pressure. At the US Open, they have a sign that says: ‘Pressure is a privilege.’ I take it that way.

Aryna Sabalenka said via Miami Open Press

Sabalenka is into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open after beating Danielle Collins in the fourth round. The Belarusian has yet to drop a set in the WTA 1000 tournament after playing three matches played.

Aryna Sabalenka reveals the difference between losing the final of the Australian Open and Indian Wells

Aryna Sabalenka has been to three tournament finals this season and has won one and lost two. The first was at the Brisbane International, which she won while losing back-to-back final matches in the Australia Open and Indian Wells. She was asked what was the difference between both losses.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (via X)

Losing in Australia was very painful, very tough. Indian Wells, I think it wasn’t my day. My team and I know what happened there, with what I was dealing with. I didn’t have much time to dwell on it or anything like that. I went back to training straight away the next day. I am here, in Miami, so I have already forgotten what happened there.

Aryna Sabalenka said

Sabalenka will hope to reach the fourth final of the season and perhaps secure the title after two losses. The World No.1 has a good advantage of doing so as she faces Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka to face Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open

Aryna Sabalenka has been at her best at the Miami Open. The World No.1 will now face a stronger challenge in Qinwen Zheng in the quarter-finals of the tournament. They have met five times on the court, with Sabalenka winning all matches, and have only dropped 20 games across their last four meetings.

Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng (via WTA/CGTN)

However, Zheng has been a different player since arriving in the United States. She has had a slow start to the season, just winning one of her first four matches. But she has bounced back on track with consecutive quarter-finals showings in Indian Wells and Miami Open.