In 2024, Aryna Sabalenka has officially claimed her place as the undisputed No. 1 player in women’s tennis. This recognition comes on the heels of a stellar season where the 26-year-old Belarusian not only captured her second Australian Open title but also completed a hard-court Grand Slam double with her first U.S. Open victory. Add in her triumphs at the Cincinnati Open and the Wuhan Open, and it’s clear that Sabalenka has emerged as a dominant force on the WTA Tour. But now that she’s reached the pinnacle of the tennis world, the question looms: What’s next for Sabalenka? Can she continue her reign, or are new challenges on the horizon?
### A Career Year Like No Other
Sabalenka’s path to the top of the WTA rankings has been a long time coming. Her rise was marked by raw power, occasional inconsistency, and a relentless drive to improve. However, 2024 saw her put it all together in stunning fashion. She was not just dominant on the court—she was nearly unbeatable. Her Australian Open victory was a statement, as she cruised through the tournament without dropping a set. Then came the U.S. Open, where Sabalenka completed her hard-court Grand Slam double, cementing her place as the most consistent and powerful player of the year.
However, it wasn’t just her Grand Slam success that propelled Sabalenka to the top; her strategic decision to skip Wimbledon and the Olympics in order to recover from a shoulder injury paid off significantly. The time off allowed her to fully recharge, recover, and come back stronger than ever. That recovery period, marked by focused training and personal growth, was a turning point in her career, helping her emerge as not only physically dominant but also mentally resilient.
### Her Dominance on Hard Courts
Sabalenka’s journey to No. 1 has been heavily influenced by her outstanding performances on hard courts. The Australian Open and U.S. Open victories were pivotal moments, but her dominance wasn’t limited to the Grand Slams. She also captured two WTA 1000 titles in 2024—her first Cincinnati Open title and her second Wuhan Open title—further cementing her status as the queen of hard courts.
Her aggressive baseline game, spearheaded by a thunderous serve and powerful forehand, has made her an intimidating opponent on the surface. She’s one of the few players who can hit the ball with such raw power and accuracy, making her incredibly difficult to break. For opponents, there’s no time to breathe when facing Sabalenka; she can turn a rally in her favor in the blink of an eye.
But while her hard-court dominance has been well-documented, Sabalenka’s journey to No. 1 was not without its challenges. She had a reputation for being streaky early in her career, often struggling with consistency in big moments. That has changed dramatically in the last few seasons, with her newfound mental toughness becoming a key part of her success. Sabalenka has now reached a place where she can rely on her explosive game while maintaining focus under pressure, a skill that sets her apart from many of her rivals.
### What’s Next for Sabalenka?
Now that Sabalenka has reached the top, the next logical question is: What comes next? There’s no doubt she’s a force to be reckoned with on hard courts, but the world of tennis is vast and ever-evolving. In the short term, Sabalenka’s focus will likely remain on defending her No. 1 ranking and solidifying her legacy.
While she has already achieved great success at the Grand Slam level, there are still challenges ahead. For instance, Sabalenka has reached the semifinals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but she has yet to capture a title on clay or grass. Her best chance at improving her Grand Slam haul could come on the clay courts of the French Open or the grass of Wimbledon.
### The Challenge of Clay Courts
For years, Sabalenka has been criticized for her lack of success on clay. Historically, her power game hasn’t been as effective on the slower surface, with the heavy topspin and slower conditions often negating her aggressive approach. However, Sabalenka has the physical attributes to succeed on clay, and with her current form, there’s every reason to believe she could break through at Roland Garros in the near future.
Her ability to adapt her game has been one of the keys to her success. With her powerful serve and forehand already difficult to handle on hard courts, the right adjustments could see her translate that dominance to clay, where patience and tactical awareness play a more prominent role.
### The Grass Court Challenge
Grass is another area where Sabalenka has yet to fully conquer. Wimbledon remains her best shot at a Grand Slam on this surface, with her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game giving her the tools needed to succeed on grass. She’s already shown she can make deep runs, and with a few tweaks to her movement and strategy, a Wimbledon title isn’t out of the question. However, she’ll need to improve her ability to adjust her game to the faster conditions and shorter rallies that are typical on grass courts.
### Sabalenka’s Mental Game: The Key to Sustained Success
If there’s one thing that Sabalenka has mastered in 2024, it’s her mental game. In the past, she struggled with emotional outbursts and a lack of consistency. But now, she’s learned how to control her emotions, using her fiery passion to fuel her rather than derail her performances. Her mental fortitude has allowed her to rise to the top of the game and perform under the pressure of being No. 1.
Moving forward, Sabalenka will need to continue to focus on this aspect of her game. The WTA is filled with young, hungry talent that is always looking for an opening. Players like Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina will be chasing Sabalenka, so maintaining her composure and confidence will be essential to holding onto her position as the best in the world.
### The Rivalry with Iga Swiatek
One of the most intriguing aspects of Sabalenka’s journey to No. 1 is her rivalry with Iga Swiatek. For much of 2024, the two players were locked in a fierce battle for the top spot, with Sabalenka edging ahead in the final stretch of the season. Their rivalry has been one of the defining narratives of women’s tennis in recent years, and it promises to continue to be a central storyline in 2025.
Swiatek, who has dominated on clay, presents a different challenge for Sabalenka. Their head-to-head matches are always highly anticipated, with both players bringing contrasting styles to the table. Sabalenka’s power contrasts with Swiatek’s tactical finesse, creating a dynamic that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. How Sabalenka handles this rivalry moving forward will be crucial to her continued success and her ability to stay at No. 1.
### Looking Beyond the Rankings
Ultimately, Sabalenka’s legacy will be shaped by more than just her rankings and Grand Slam titles. Her meteoric rise to No. 1 is a testament to her hard work, determination, and the relentless pursuit of her goals. But there’s also something special about her personality and the way she carries herself both on and off the court. Sabalenka has become a role model for aspiring players, showing that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
As the new season begins, Sabalenka’s focus will likely be on maintaining her dominance on the WTA Tour while continuing to refine her game. But beyond that, her future could hold even greater heights—whether it’s Grand Slam triumphs on clay and grass, more battles with her rivals, or cementing her legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
For now, Aryna Sabalenka is the No. 1 player in the world. But the real question is: how far can she go from here? The tennis world is watching, and Sabalenka has only just begun to write her legacy.