When Iga Swiatek began the 2023 season, she had 11, 085 ranking points – more than double the points of her closest rival, Ons Jabeur, who had 5,055 points. But such are the vagaries of the tennis circuit that the Pole finds herself with the task of reaching the semi-finals at Roland-Garros in order to retain her world No 1 ranking.
Swiatek currently has 8,940 points but is defending 2,000 of those in Paris over the next fortnight. A loss prior to the semis will see Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, supplant her at the top of the world rankings (even if the Belarusian loses in the first round in Paris).
For Sabalenka to ensure she reaches the top spot, irrespective of how Swiatek fares in Paris, she will need to win in Roland-Garros. Anything less than that will give Swiatek a chance to hold on to the No 1 spot.
Swiatek has been No 1 for 62 weeks in a row, the 14th longest stint in the WTA history. Should Sabalenka succeed her, she will become only the 29th woman since the computer rankings were introduced in November 1975 to be ranked No 1.
In an interview with Eurosport earlier this year, Sabalenka said she wanted to focus on winning titles and let the ranking take care of itself.
“I always wanted to win as many titles as possible during my career. So, if I keep thinking that way and focusing on myself then there’s always going to be a chance to become No. 1. It’s not my priority goal, but this is something I really want to see happen in the future,” Sabalenka said. “It’s a different approach right now, before I was thinking like ‘come on, you need to get at least one Grand Slam in your career. But right now, I have this Grand Slam and can play with more freedom, you don’t think about being a top player without a Grand Slam. You just think about your game and wanting to bring your best game every time you’re out on court. It’s a different approach right now.”
The draw for the French Open will be released later on Thursday with Swiatek and Sabalenka being the top two seeds on the women’s side.
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