Mats Wilander believes losing the No.1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka is the ‘best thing’ that can happen to Iga Swiatek
Tennis expert Mats Wilander gives his views on Aryna Sabalenka replacing Iga Swiatek as the new number one in the WTA rankings.
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Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. (credits: Afternoon Voice)
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will have her top-ranking spot taken off by her rival Aryna Sabalenka who has qualified for the semis of the US Open. The new rankings will be updated after the commencement of the US Open with Sabalenka to be assigned as the new number one on Monday after Swiatek’s 75-week run. Swiatke recently broke into the top ten list of women’s tennis players to have held the World No. 1 spot for most weeks with her being on the tenth of the list removing Wozniacki.
Tennis legend Mats Wilander has given his verdict on his situation indicating this as a scope to start fresh for the Pole. He feels that this might be the ‘best thing’ that can happen to her and that her defeat at the round of 16 stage against Jelena Ostapenko will have her think over right from the start citing her weaknesses and strengths yet again.
He feels that Swiatek had a lot of pressure on her shoulders to always deliver and now she can play her tennis in peace without batting an eye on the rankings. Wilander said, “I think this is most probably the best thing that can happen for her tennis. There’s a reason for her to start working on her game again and figuring out what happens to her when she plays against big hitters now she doesn’t have to [worry about being world No. 1].”
What did Iga Swiatek pen down after she was stripped of her WTA No.1 ranking?
Iga Swiatek took to her Instagram penning down a thankful post for all her supporters who expected something outstanding from the Polish star who has been quite consistent this year despite just one Grand Slam. She talked about how this is a new opportunity for her to start fresh and stated her belief regarding learning from these mistakes and rectifying them in the coming days.
She wrote, “For me sport is a cycle of constant changes exactly like in everyday life, we can either win or lose – that’s it, it’s so simple. New season, next tournament, new opportunities to GAIN, ACHIEVE, not defend something. Clean slate. During this year’s U.S. swing I could win and achieve more, that’s for sure. I know some of you expected more, many of you expected ‘defending’ the no 1 ranking, the title. But I stick to my mindset: when I work hard, I’m developing myself and doing my job, I will create many more chances to WIN…”
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Soumyadeep Mondal
(882 Articles Published)