One of Aryna Sabalenka’s career goals has been achieved at this year’s US Open but she has vowed to not let that distract her.
As a result of Iga Swiatek’s fourth round loss to Jelena Ostapenko, the Belarussian will become the new world No.1 next Monday for the first time in her career. Sabalenka is the 29th woman to have topped the WTA standings since they were created and the second Belarussian to do so after Victoria Azarenka. It is a key milestone in the career of the 25-year-old who isn’t thinking about celebrating her new status at the moment.
“I’m focusing on the US Open. I don’t want to celebrate anything before the end of the US Open. I just want to focus on this tournament more than on world No. 1.” Sabalenka said after beating Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3, on Monday.
Sabalenka learned about her upcoming rise to No.1 on the morning of her match against Kasatkina after receiving a series of messages. Describing the situation as a ‘nice wake-up call.’ However, at the time she was concerned that it could disrupt her focus leading to to her latest match.
The second seed is chasing after a second Grand Slam title of the season in New York after winning the Australian Open. She has reached the semi-finals of the US Open the past two years, losing to Leylah Fernandez in 2021 and then Swiatek in 2022. Sabalenka is the only top-five seed remaining in this year’s draw but is taking nothing for granted.
“I think I’m playing great tennis. But there are always things to improve,” she evaluated of her game. “There are always things to keep building on and keep getting better with every match you play. But I’m happy with the level I play right now.”
In the semi-finals, Sabalenka will play Zheng Qinwen who is the youngest Chinese woman in the Open Era to reach the last eight of a major tournament at the age of 20. Zheng dropped only six games during her 6-2, 6-4, win over Ons Jabeur, who has recently been battling illness.
“I know if I bring my tennis, I have a chance to win this match,” Sabalenka commented.
“About the world No. 1, it’s not change anything. Yes, I was No. 2, now I’m No. 1. It’s great. Of course, it’s a great achievement. It’s one of the goals. It’s great to say that I’ve been world No. 1. But it’s not changing anything.’
“You still have to bring your best tennis. Sometimes players have nothing to lose against you and they’re playing their best tennis. So sometimes it’s even tougher.”
Sabalenka has now recorded 21 wins at Grand Slam tournaments this year. Since 2000, only seven other WTA players have managed to reach that amount of wins within the same season.
