Iga Swiatek gets warning of losing Roland Garros dominance amid ‘dynamic shift’ as Aryna Sabalenka wins Miami Open
Aryna Sabalenka will continue to remain on top of the rankings table as she clinched 1000 points after her Miami Open win.
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Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/Jimmie48 Photography, Quindici Zero)
Aryna Sabalenka has been reaching the finals and winning trophies. In the Miami Open final on Saturday (March 29), she came out on top of fourth seed Jessica Pegula to lift her first singles title in a Sunshine Double tournament.
But Swiatek hasn’t yet added anything to her trophy cabinet since the 2024 Roland Garros. The Pole, who failed to defend her Indian Wells title by losing the semifinal against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva (the eventual winner), succumbed to a straight-set defeat to another teenager, Alexandra Eala, in the quarterfinals in Miami.
Former World No.7 Marion Bartoli, also the winner of 2013 Wimbledon, pointed out that WTA is witnessing a ‘dynamic shift’ and therefore, Sabalenka could become the newest champion at the Roland Garros. The 23-year-old has been enjoying absolute dominance at the French Open, having won four of her five Grand Slam titles in the tournament, including three in a row from 2022 to 2024.
Is it going to shift completely, to the point where Iga Swiatek is not holding the Roland Garros title at the end of the season? A lot of things have been happening with Swiatek, specifically the coach change. So let’s see if she is able to hold that title because Sabalenka is knocking at the door louder and louder, and she is really looking to get that title.
Marion Bartoli told Sky Sports
Swiatek is currently coached by Wim Fissette, who joined her team in October last year. Sabalenka has never progressed to the French Open final. Her best result in the clay-court Major event has been reaching the semifinals in 2023. Last year, the Belarusian fell in three sets to Andreeva in the quarterfinals.
Aryna Sabalenka sends heartfelt message to her team after Miami Open win
Win or no win in the final, Aryna Sabalenka never forgets to pull her team’s legs during her speeches. After finally becoming the newest Miami Open champion, Sabalenka called her team her family.
I don’t remember names of team. I don’t remember the names of those guys…I’ll just say thank you my team for everything. You’re not my team, you’re my family. We spent 24-7, unfortunately, together. But I love you so much. And I really appreciate for everything you do for me. I’m not an easy person, but I also try to do my best.
Aryna Sabalenka said during the trophy presentation
Sabalenka has become the fourth player to win the Miami Open as a World No.1 in this century following Martina Hingis, Serena Williams, and Ash Barty. It was her 19th tour-level singles title and her 17th on hard courts.
Sabalenka also tied the tally with Maria Sharapova by winning her eighth WTA 1000 title. She also took a 7-2 lead in the head-to-head meeting with Jessica Pegula.
Aryna Sabalenka clinches second title of the season
Aryna Sabalenka has now reached four finals this season. She kickstarted her campaign for the 2025 year by winning the Brisbane International, following which, she was denied a three-peat at the Australian Open by Madison Keys who became a Grand Slam champion for the first time.
Sabalenka couldn’t move on from the Australian Open heartbreak and it affected her performance on the Middle East Swing, as she suffered early exits at the Qatar Open and the Dubai Open. The 26-year-old got back to winning ways at Indian Wells, reaching the singles final for the second time in her career.
But Mirra Andreeva came from a set down to deny her the victory. Sabalenka then lifted the second title of the season by beating Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open final.
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