Iga Swiatek made it completely clear throughout her pre-tournament presser on the WTA Finals that her first and principal objective in Riyadh will likely be to ship her finest tennis and never to consider doubtlessly overthrowing Aryna Sabalenka from the world No. 1 place.
As you most likely know effectively by now, the Pole misplaced the world No. 1 place on October twenty first after the WTA utilized zero-pointers over not collaborating in six WTA 500 tournaments. Since then, extra zero-pointers have been utilized and factors from final 12 months’s season-ending event have been additionally dropped.
So now, Swiatek trails Sabalenka by 1,046 rating factors. Whereas the Pole may nonetheless presumably end 2024 because the top-ranked participant on the planet, the Belarusian is by far in pole place to assert the Yr-Finish No. 1 award.
“I do not. I wish to play the most effective sort of tennis. That is what I must do,” the 23-year-old responded when requested if she knew what she wanted to do on the WTA Finals to reclaim the world No. 1 spot.
What are the situations for Swiatek and Sabalenka?
If the Belarusian wins all of her three group-stage matches in Riyadh, the battle will likely be sealed in her favor. If the 26-year-old even solely wins a match or two within the Spherical Robin however nonetheless reaches the ultimate, that additionally ensures her end 2024 because the top-ranked participant.
Relating to Swiatek’s possibilities, she just about has to win all of her 5 matches however even that might not be sufficient – she should go undefeated – hope that Sabalenka does not win all of her group matches – and that the Belarusian does not make it previous the semifinal stage.
It ought to be famous that only one loss within the Spherical Robin stage would most likely consequence within the five-time Grand Slam champion dropping the battle.
However whereas the Pole desires to reclaim the highest spot at one level, she gave credit score to her largest rival and acknowledged that the 26-year-old deserved to be on this place.
“Clearly we’re each preventing for this spot. Yeah, it has been us principally sort of over the previous few years. Yeah, I imply, I’m within the event. I clearly wish to play my finest recreation right here and win this event. I am simply going to deal with my first match and do every little thing step-by-step,” Swiatek stated.
“Truly, I do not know, it was simply good to apply with Aryna as a result of we have not performed that shortly, since most likely 2022. It has been a very long time. I am probably not positive why (smiling). Yeah, it was a very good apply. She’s a terrific participant. She additionally sort of deserves to be world No. 1. For positive I’ll combat for me to be in that place.”
Swiatek dismisses that she is feeling rusty in Riyadh
When the brand new world No. 2 takes on Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday, that will likely be her first match in two months – she hasn’t performed since dropping to Jessica Pegula within the US Open quarterfinal.
Since then, the 23-year-old has undergone some main adjustments as she is not working with Tomasz Wiktorowski however with Wim Fissette.
Forward of the beginning of her WTA Finals run, Swiatek was requested how she dealt with her latest choices and the way she feels realizing that she arrived with much less match play than her rivals.
“I’ll reply the second query first. I believe it is not going to be an issue. I do not really feel rusty. I performed some factors, as effectively, right here with Aryna and Qinwen. Additionally I have been working towards that manner. I do not really feel like I missed rather a lot. Actually, it wasn’t like a very lengthy break nonetheless. Most likely a bit longer than a traditional pre-season,” the Pole stated.
“I spent this time nonetheless taking part in tennis and for positive specializing in discovering new coach, making this transition. It is all the time difficult. For me it is a choice hopefully for years as a result of I have a look at my profession sort of long-term. Yeah, we’ll see.”
When requested straight what she hoped to enhance beneath the steering of Fissette, the four-time French Open winner admitted she would goal to get some work on her serve.
“If I’ll reply that, then everyone goes to know what’s my weaker facet (smiling). No, I imply, I believe it is sort of apparent. I for positive wish to enhance my serve, as I have been doing for previous years. I really feel like I nonetheless must proceed that. For positive I am not an entire participant. I believe tactically there are various methods I may go and have extra selection on courtroom. Wim has some good concepts,” Swiatek stated.
