Iga Swiatek Plays Down Prioritizing World No.1 Ranking Ahead of Beijing Open

Iga Swiatek has the chance to close the gap on Aryna Sabalenka next week in Beijing.

Iga Swiatek Plays Down Prioritizing World No.1 Ranking Ahead of Beijing Open

Iga Swiatek (Image via X/Jimmie48 Photography)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Iga Swiatek arrives in Beijing fresh from winning her 25th career title at the Korea Open. The Pole, ranked World No. 2, is looking to extend her momentum at the China Open. She claimed the trophy on debut in 2023 but missed last year’s event while serving a provisional suspension. Now, she returns with a chance to regain the title and cut into Aryna Sabalenka’s lead at the top of the WTA Rankings.

Swiatek has often stressed that regaining the No. 1 spot is not her main concern. Instead, she says her focus is on consistent performances and building a long-term career. That mindset could serve her well in Beijing, where Sabalenka’s withdrawal has created an opening.

The Belarusian sits on 11,225 points but will fall slightly after losing her quarterfinal points from 2024, while Swiatek enters with 8,433 and no points to defend. Swiatek said in her press conference:

I would say that number one is something that’s always in the back of your mind, but it’s not your priority. I know that in terms of rankings, it doesn’t matter much whether you’re number 2 or number 1, they’re just numbers, but it doesn’t change the fact that you have to feel your tennis and focus on your evolution on the court, since the results will follow all of that. I’m not focused on that, no. It’s a different situation than last year, when I wasn’t able to defend the number one spot, yes, so I’m happy to be able to fight for it, but my focus is on the tennis and how I feel on the court.

She could climb gradually depending on her results. A second-round win would lift her to 8,498 points. A quarterfinal run would push her to 8,648, while a semifinal appearance would bring her to 8,823. Reaching the final or winning the title would carry her back above 9,000 points and strengthen her pursuit of the top ranking.

While the gap remains too large for Swiatek to overtake Sabalenka in Beijing, the China Open is a key opportunity. Any strong run will put her within striking range ahead of the season’s last WTA 1000 in Wuhan. There, Swiatek again has no points to defend, while Sabalenka must protect 1,000 points from her title defense — setting up a possible ranking battle to close 2025.

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek announce charities

Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have both unveiled new charity projects in recent weeks. Their initiatives focus on supporting the next generation, not only in sports but also in education and personal growth.

Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner
Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Wimbledon)

Swiatek launched her foundation in July with the goal of encouraging healthy lifestyles, social awareness, and equal opportunities for young athletes. Its first project, introduced in September, is a scholarship program for promising Polish competitors.

The pilot scheme is open to athletes aged 15 to 22 who compete in Olympic sports and are eligible to represent Poland abroad. Up to five winners will be chosen, receiving guidance from Swiatek’s team and nearly 500,000 zloty (about $140,000) to help them develop sustainable careers.

Sinner also took a step into philanthropy with the launch of the Jannik Sinner Foundation in Milan last week. His foundation will partner with the Global Partnership for Education to improve access to schooling in lower-income countries, while also working with Südtirol Sporthilfe to provide funding and mentorship for young athletes.

Iga Swiatek makes more history at Korea Open

Polish star Iga Swiatek arrived at the 2025 Korea Open as the clear favorite, and she lived up to the billing. The Polish star dominated the field to claim her first WTA trophy since her triumph at the Cincinnati Open earlier this year. Her victory adds to what has already been a strong season on multiple surfaces.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/Jimmy48 Photography)

Swiatek’s resurgence began with her maiden Wimbledon title in the summer. She crushed Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the final to capture her sixth Grand Slam crown. Despite a setback at the Canada Open against Clara Tauson, she quickly bounced back. In Cincinnati, she marched through the draw without dropping a set and defeated Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in the championship match.

Her form carried into the Asian swing. At the Korea Open, she entered as the top seed after a quarterfinal exit at the US Open. Swiatek lost only ten games en route to the final, where she faced Ekaterina Alexandrova. The Russian stunned the crowd by taking the opening set 6-1, but Swiatek recovered to seal a 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 victory. The win marked the 25th WTA title of her career.

By lifting the trophy in Seoul, Swiatek also set a new milestone. She now holds 57 match wins this season, edging ahead of World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who has 56. Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina follow with 42 victories each, while Alexandrova sits fifth with 41. Swiatek’s consistency and ability to rebound from setbacks continue to underline her status as one of the most dominant players on tour.

Also Read: Coco Gauff Reveals Why She Doesn’t Care About Defending the WTA 1000 Title in Beijing