Aryna Sabalenka: “Number 1 is the perfect reward”

MADRID, 4 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka will be number 1 in the WTA ranking after the US Open and will be the eighth player to occupy the first world position in both singles and doubles throughout her career, a milestone that allows the Minsk player to fulfill a childhood dream and that it is a “perfect reward” for her work this year.

“Reaching the number 1 position in the WTA world singles ranking is something I have dreamed of since I was a child when I started playing tennis,” Sabalenka told the media after learning that she will top the WTA ranking after the ‘Grand American slam.

In addition, he stressed that it is the “perfect reward.” “2023 has been an incredible year for me and my team and this is the perfect reward for all our hard work. It’s an incredible feeling to join the impressive list of other WTA players who have achieved this and it’s a great honor to be able to call myself the number 1 in the world”, he acknowledged.

Sabalenka will be the 29th tennis player to reach the WTA World No. 1 ranking, and only the eighth player to have been ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles during her career, having also risen to the top of the doubles rankings. in February 2021.

“Aryna’s rise to the top of our sport is an incredible achievement and I would like to congratulate her on becoming the new WTA singles world number one,” said WTA President and CEO Steve Simon.

Sabalenka, who confirmed her rise to number 1 in the ranking after Iga Swiatek’s loss to Jelena Ostapenko in New York, will surpass the Pole and end her 75 consecutive weeks as number 1.

This year, the Belarusian has won three titles, the most recent being the Mutua Madrid Open in the WTA 1000 category, as well as the Adelaide International (WTA 500) and her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open.

In addition, she reached two other finals this year, at the WTA 1000 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) and the WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart), and reached the semifinals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.