Iga Swiatek’s Beijing withdrawal may doubtlessly have huge implications for the world No. 1 and 12 months-Finish No. 1 battles because the Pole is now set to drop an enormous quantity of factors and Aryna Sabalenka will additional lower the lead on the high.
On Friday, the announcement got here out that the Polish tennis star was pulling out of the upcoming China Open because of “private causes.” Because the 23-year-old was presupposed to be defending her title in China’s capital subsequent week, it was main information but in addition one thing that meant she would lose 1,000 factors following the conclusion of the WTA 1000 match.
“Attributable to private issues, I’m compelled to withdraw from the @ChinaOpen in Beijing. I’m very sorry as I had an incredible time enjoying and profitable this match final yr and was actually trying ahead to being again there. I do know that the followers will expertise nice tennis there and I’m sorry I received’t be part of it this time,” Swiatek mentioned in an announcement.
On the opposite aspect, Sabalenka has 215 factors to defend in Beijing and she’s going to attain that mark by reaching the quarterfinals. But when she goes additional and makes all of it the way in which, she’s going to acquire an extra 785 rating factors.
Presently, the Pole has 10,885 factors however that quantity will lower to 9,885 in two weeks. In the meantime, the Belarusian has 8,716 factors by her identify and will simply go over 9k after the China Open.
With regards to the race record, the 23-year-old has collected 8,285 rating factors whereas the 26-year-old gathered 7,876.
Sabalenka warned Swiatek she was coming for the highest spot
This previous US Open was an amazing one for the world No. 2, who captured her third Grand Slam title. However for the Pole, it did not go as anticipated after she was upset by Jessica Pegula within the remaining.
After securing two Main titles in 2024, the Belarusian tennis star mentioned she could be gunning to return to No. 1 for the remainder of the yr.
“I am nonetheless hungry, for certain. One other objective for certain is to attempt to turn into World No.1 once more. However I do not wish to speak about this objective. I am simply attempting to maintain bettering myself and preserve getting higher day-after-day. However now I am going to undoubtedly have some days off so I can simply take pleasure in this win and I can change off and neglect about tennis for a little bit bit. So I am going to preserve this freshness until the tip of the season. Six weeks isn’t that a lot. However now I am going to undoubtedly have some days off so I can simply take pleasure in this win and I can change off and neglect about tennis for a little bit bit. So I am going to preserve this freshness until the tip of the season. Six weeks isn’t that a lot,” Sabalenka instructed WTA Insider.
Sabalenka did it in 2023 however her reign was short-lived
It was throughout final yr’s US Open that the 26-year-old discovered she was assured to overhaul Swiatek on the world No. 1 spot. And after formally turning into the top-ranked participant within the recreation for the primary time on September eleventh, 2023, the Belarusian spent eight weeks there earlier than the Pole regained the No. 1 rating following her WTA Finals victory.
Had Sabalenka defeated the present world No. 1 within the semifinals of the 2023 WTA Finals, she would have secured the 12 months-Finish No. 1 rating for final season. However she did not handle to do it and finally fell simply in need of including a really notable feat to her resume.
Nonetheless, she is once more ready to struggle for the highest rating and he or she is decided to not make the identical errors this time.
“The objective is first to be match and wholesome, as a result of it’s going to take some time to recuperate. The principle objective for us this season is to complete on a excessive word. Proper now, I’d say we will speak concerning the No 1 spot, to complete the yr as No 1 is a very cool objective. However as I mentioned, this [run in New York] took a lot vitality and feelings so initially we have to additionally find out how we will recuperate as quick as we will and set these objectives. As a result of everybody has objectives and says, ‘I wish to win 4 Slams and end No 1’. That’s a cool objective and you are able to do it nevertheless it simply takes you some time to handle it,” Sabalenka’s coach Anton Dubrov instructed The Nationwide this week.
In early October, the WTA 1000 match in Wuhan is slated to happen and that is the place Sabalenka and Swiatek may presumably meet once more.
