Iga Swiatek made it completely clear throughout her pre-tournament presser on the WTA Finals that her first and principal purpose in Riyadh shall be to ship her greatest tennis and never to consider probably overthrowing Aryna Sabalenka from the world No. 1 place.
As you in all probability 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 match have been additionally dropped.
So now, Swiatek trails Sabalenka by 1,046 rating factors. Whereas the Pole might nonetheless probably end 2024 because the top-ranked participant on the earth, the Belarusian is by far in pole place to assert the 12 months-Finish No. 1 award.
“I do not. I wish to play one of the best sort of tennis. That is what I have to 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 eventualities for Swiatek and Sabalenka?
If the Belarusian wins all of her three group-stage matches in Riyadh, the battle shall 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.
In relation to Swiatek’s probabilities, 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 would not win all of her group matches – and that the Belarusian would not make it previous the semifinal stage.
It must be famous that only one loss within the Spherical Robin stage would in all probability outcome within the five-time Grand Slam champion shedding the battle.
However whereas the Pole needs 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 mainly sort of over the previous few years. Yeah, I imply, I’m within the match. I clearly wish to play my greatest recreation right here and win this match. I am simply going to give attention to my first match and do every thing step-by-step,” Swiatek stated.
“Really, I do not know, it was simply good to apply with Aryna as a result of we have not performed that shortly, since in all probability 2022. It has been a very long time. I am not likely 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 will struggle 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 shall be her first match in two months – she hasn’t performed since shedding to Jessica Pegula within the US Open quarterfinal.
Since then, the 23-year-old has undergone some main modifications 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 selections and the way she feels figuring out that she arrived with much less match play than her rivals.
“I will reply the second query first. I feel 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 training that means. I do not really feel like I missed loads. Truthfully, 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 tough. For me it is a determination hopefully for years as a result of I take a look at my profession sort of long-term. Yeah, we’ll see.”
When requested instantly what she hoped to enhance below the steering of Fissette, the four-time French Open winner admitted she would goal to get some work on her serve.
“If I will reply that, then everyone goes to know what’s my weaker facet (smiling). No, I imply, I feel 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 have to proceed that. For positive I am not an entire participant. I feel tactically there are numerous methods I might go and have extra selection on court docket. Wim has some good concepts,” Swiatek stated.
