Miami Open champion Aryna Sabalenka makes feelings known on ‘crazy’ stat that’s better than Iga Swiatek

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka clinched her second title of the season by sinking Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open final.

Miami Open champion Aryna Sabalenka makes feelings known on ‘crazy’ stat that’s better than Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/Jimmie48 Photography, Quindici Zero)

Aryna Sabalenka has finally become the newest Miami Open singles champion. She beat home favorite Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to win her second title of the season.

Sabalenka has so far lifted 19 singles titles on the WTA Tour. Out of this, 17 she won on the hardcourts. Since making her debut on the tour, Sabalenka has won the most hard-court titles in women’s tennis, which is five more than what Iga Swiatek has bagged. Sabalenka, following her Miami Open win, was asked to make her feelings known on this stat.

YouTube video

Oh, that’s crazy. But if you’re going to look into clay-court statistics, I’m definitely going to be far behind Iga. That’s impressive to see. It actually means a lot because I’m a hard worker and to see these results, it’s just amazing.

Aryna Sabalenka told wtatennis.com

Sabalenka has 10,541 points, which means she has 3,000 points more than World No.2 Swiatek (7,470) in the WTA rankings table. The three-time Grand Slam singles champion reclaimed her No.1 spot last year due to her results on the hardcourts toward the end of the season.

The fact that Swiatek had to miss three tournaments on the Asian Swing due to her doping case also helped Sabalenka in dethroning the Pole from the top. While Sabalenka has so far reached four finals this season, Swiatek hasn’t yet reached the summit clash of a tournament since last winning the 2024 French Open.

After losing to eventual winner Mirra Andreeva in the Indian Wells final, the five-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out of the Miami Open by 19-year-old Alexandra Eala in the quarterfinals. The 23-year-old is expected to end her trophy drought on the clay swing, where she at present is the best player on the WTA tour, having won four French Open titles, including a three-peat from 2022 to 2024.

Aryna Sabalenka explains why winning the Miami Open title is important to her

Before this season, Aryna Sabalenka had never reached the final of the Miami Open. She had arrived in Miami after another defeat in the final this season.

Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/The Tennis Channel)

Sabalenka had won the Brisbane International but couldn’t complete a three-peat at the Australian Open, losing in the final to Madison Keys. The defeat affected her during the Middle East Swing, for she failed to win more than two matches in the tournaments she played there.

Sabalenka finally moved on from the Australian Open heartbreak and reached the Indian Wells final, but title still eluded her as Mirra Andreeva secured the victory. Now that she finally clinched a singles title in a Sunshine Doubles tournament, Sabalenka explained why winning the Miami Open was so important to her.

It was very important because last couple of finals I didn’t play my best and didn’t want it to get to my head. I’m super happy that I was able to handle all the emotions and was able to play my best. On the other side, playing at home is great. Having this trophy in the house means a lot and will always bring me great memories.

Aryna Sabalenka told wtatennis.com

Aryna Sabalenka to play in clay tournaments next

During the aforementioned interview, Sabalenka said she will start her campaign on the clay swing at the Stuttgart Open and will next participate in the Italian Open and the French Open. Sabalenka has so far won just two titles on the red dirt in her career.

Aryna Sabalenka (4)
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via WTA/X)

She took home the 2021 and 2023 Madrid Open. Last year as well, the 26-year-old progressed to the final but Iga Swiatek denied her the title. Sabalenka then lost the Italian Open final to Swiatek and was knocked out of the French Open quarterfinal by Mirra Andreeva.