“It’s not about the ranking,” Aryna Sabalenka makes assessment of her season as Iga Swiatek comes in touching distance to reclaim the World No. 1 spot

Swiatek got her second win of the year against Sabalenka on Sunday.

“It’s not about the ranking,” Aryna Sabalenka makes assessment of her season as Iga Swiatek comes in touching distance to reclaim the World No. 1 spot

New World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and the former World No.1 Iga Swiatek (via Tennisnet.com)

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a thumping defeat against her arch-rival and World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the semi-final of the WTA Finals in Cancun on Sunday. Swiatek defeated the Belarusian pro 6-3, 6-2 to get one step closer to winning the tournament and becoming the year-end world No.1. The match was disrupted by rain and inclement weather and, as a result, suspended and postponed to the next day.

Sabalenka took the World No.1 spot from the Pole after the recently concluded US Open. Swiatek, who held the spot for 73 consecutive weeks before that, has a chance to take back that spot if she wins the final against Jessica Pegula. But, Sabalenka won’t let the probable loss of her No.1 spot affect her assessment of a ‘positive’ season.

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Speaking to the Mexican press, the World No.1 said,

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I want to leave this season on a positive note. I feel proud of myself, I made huge improvements this season and I really hope this is only the beginning. I’ve had a lot of lessons this season. A lot of tough losses, a lot of great wins, becoming world No 1. But it’s not about ranking.

The Belarusian squandered several chances to take the No.1 spot before eventually grabbing it in September.

Sabalenka further said that she would prefer to reflect on the learnings from her losses. The World No. 1 expressed her motivation to keep working and shared her belief that she’s going in the right direction.

I have to stick to our plan, and just keep going, forget the negative side of this season, focus on the positive, and just keep working, and keep getting better.

Elina Svitolina echoes Aryna Sabalenka’s stance as she attacks the WTA over the WTA Finals issue

Ukrainian professional tennis player Elina Svitolina lashed out at the WTA over poor on-court playing conditions at the venue of the WTA Finals in Cancun. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Svitolina remarked, 

I saw the court was not ready. I don’t know why the WTA wanted to host it in Cancun. It’s a shame for the best eight players in the world to be playing in these conditions. It’s terrible for our sport to be honest.
elina svitolina
Elina Svitolina (Image via : @TheTennisLetter/X)

The WTA has come under the scanner after several players reported issues over the playing conditions at the venue. Earlier, the World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka let loose at the WTA as she called out the tennis body for disrespecting the players. The tumultuous weather conditions also haven’t helped in making the already difficult conditions any better.

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