Aryna Sabalenka to end 2024 as World No.1 after Iga Swiatek's loss to Coco Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka will end 2024 as the World No.1 as Iga Swiatek lost her match against Coco Gauff in the WTA Finals in Riyadh on November 5, Tuesday. Sabalenka won 2 grand slams during 2024.

In Short

• Gauff defeated Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday, November 5
• Sabalenka's successful season includes four singles titles and two Grand Slam victories
• Sabalenka defeated Iga Swiatek in a year-long battle for the top spot

Aryna Sabalenka has officially secured the year-end world No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis for 2024. Following an exceptional season on the WTA Tour, the 26-year-old claimed four singles titles, including two Grand Slam victories, cementing her status as the top player of the year on Tuesday, November 5.

Sabalenka’s position as world No. 1 was confirmed after she won her first two group matches at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, while her closest rival, Iga Swiatek, was defeated by third-ranked Coco Gauff in the same tournament. Gauff won the match 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday, November 5, in a match that saw the Pole show some rustiness.

Sabalenka first reached the top spot in September 2023 and, after a competitive year-long battle with Swiatek, reclaimed the No. 1 position in the season’s final weeks to solidify her reign.

Wanted to dominate the tour Serena Williams

Speaking to Arab News, Sabalenka said that she had always wanted to dominate the tour like Serena Williams and most recently, like Iga Swiatek. The Belarussian star also said she is currently focused on improving herself to make sure she has all the tools to dominate the tour.

“I always wanted to dominate the tour like Serena did, like Iga was able to do for so long. And she’s still close, it’s all going to be decided after this tournament, so who knows?” Sabalenka said, via Arab News. “But it’s really inspiring and of course I want to dominate the tour like they did. But I’m trying to focus on myself, on improving myself, to make sure that I have all of the tools to dominate the tour as they did.”

In 2024, Sabalenka dominated the Grand Slam circuit, winning the Australian Open for the second time without dropping a set and capturing her first US Open title, completing the prestigious hard court double. She also added two WTA 1000 titles to her accolades, winning the Cincinnati Open in August and the Wuhan Open in October, rounding out a remarkable season at the top.