Iga Swiatek Acknowledges Feeling ‘Sad Emotions’ as World No. 1 Rank Transfers to Aryna Sabalenka Following Unexpected US Open Elimination

Iga Swiatek, who recently lost her world No.1 status at the US Open, expressed her emotions about the situation. Swiatek had held the top spot in the WTA rankings for 75 weeks, succeeding Australian Ash Barty who retired in 2022. Aryna Sabalenka will take over as the new world No. 1 after the conclusion of the US Open, becoming the 29th different WTA player to achieve this ranking. She will also join the select group of players who have held both the singles and doubles No. 1 positions.

Swiatek reflected on her time as world No. 1, acknowledging its significance but also admitting that it had been exhausting. She mentioned the advice she received from players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, emphasizing the importance of focusing on tournaments rather than rankings. While she typically doesn’t pay much attention to numbers, she does appreciate them and wanted to extend her record as world No. 1. She mentioned that her earlier goal was to break records, and she had already achieved that by becoming the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam.

However, Swiatek admitted to feeling sad about losing the world No. 1 status. She acknowledged that it is a common experience for top players and expressed confidence that it would eventually return if she continued to work hard and develop her skills. Despite the disappointment of her recent match, she believed that she was progressing as a player and acquiring more skills.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka, who will become the new world No. 1, described it as a lifelong dream come true. Reaching this milestone has been a goal she has had since she started playing tennis as a child. She expressed joy and gratitude for being able to join the list of incredible WTA players who have achieved this feat. For her, becoming the No. 1 singles player in the world is a tremendous honor and a reward for the hard work she and her team have put in.

Sabalenka will face Daria Kasatkina in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows later on Monday. Fans can enjoy the 2023 Laver Cup exclusively on Eurosport and discovery+ for live coverage across Europe.