World No. 2 Iga Swiatek is making waves at the China Open after her recent victory at the Korea Open. While a return to the No. 1 ranking is within reach, Swiatek insists her priority is on improving her game, not chasing numbers.
Swiatek's path to potentially reclaiming the year-end No. 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka looks promising. With no points to defend for the remainder of the season, the pressure is off. However, the six-time Grand Slam champion emphasizes that rankings are secondary to her on-court performance.
"Well, I would say it's always something to be, like, there in the back, but it's not like it's a main focus,” Swiatek explained. “I already know that thinking about the rankings, it's not a way to go, no matter if you're No. 2 or no matter if you're No. 1. It's just kind of numbers.”
She further elaborated, “But it doesn't change the fact that you need to kind of feel the tennis and focus on the improvement on the court, then the results are going to come after that.”
Swiatek acknowledged that her mindset this season differs from last year when the pressure of defending the top spot weighed heavily on her. She now prioritizes enjoying the competition and focusing on her tennis.
Adding another layer to the story, Forbes reports that Swiatek's path to No. 1 might be influenced by a past event: a drug suspension in 2024. While the article doesn't delve into specifics, it suggests this suspension somehow gives her an "unexpected advantage." This adds intrigue to her current run at the China Open.
Swiatek is the top seed at the China Open following Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal due to injury. Her first match is against Yuan Yue. If Swiatek wins the China Open, she'll be within striking distance of Sabalenka's No. 1 ranking, with the Wuhan Open and WTA Finals still to come.
Iga Swiatek's Focus: Titles Over Rankings
Ultimately, Iga Swiatek's focus remains on her performance and enjoyment of the game. Her recent form suggests that this approach could very well lead her back to the top of the rankings.