Iga Swiatek is at a pivotal point in her career, eyeing a potential return to the coveted world No. 1 ranking, but she insists that it isn’t her primary concern for 2025. The Polish tennis sensation, who dominated the WTA Rankings for an impressive 125 weeks across two stints, has seen her position challenged by Aryna Sabalenka, who claimed the top spot in October 2024 and has held it ever since.
Despite Sabalenka’s formidable presence as a four-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek faced setbacks of her own, including a provisional doping suspension that sidelined her from significant tournaments like the Korea Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open. This absence undoubtedly hindered her ability to defend her ranking, leading to a rocky start in 2025 where she plummeted to No. 8 after a disappointing exit in the French Open semi-finals.
However, the resilient 24-year-old has staged a remarkable comeback, climbing back to the No. 2 position following victories at Wimbledon, the Cincinnati Open, and the Korea Open. Just last week, her triumph in Seoul earned her 500 valuable points, narrowing the gap to Sabalenka, who hasn’t competed since clinching the US Open title.
With Sabalenka missing the China Open, where 215 ranking points are up for grabs, Swiatek has a crucial opportunity to close the gap even further. The stakes are high in Beijing, where a staggering 1,000 points await the champion, and with no points to defend until the WTA Finals, Swiatek is poised to capitalize on this golden opportunity.
Looking ahead, the WTA Tour’s mandatory rules could play in Swiatek’s favor, especially as Sabalenka faces significant points to defend in Wuhan later this year. Just months ago, a swift return to the top spot seemed improbable, yet Swiatek’s current form suggests that reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking is within reach.
As she gears up for her China Open campaign, Swiatek remains focused on the fundamentals of her game rather than the rankings. “I would say it’s always something to be, like, there in the back, but it’s not like it’s a main focus,” she stated. “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.”
Swiatek emphasizes the importance of honing her skills and feeling confident on the court, believing that results will follow. “For sure, it’s a different situation than last year when I wasn’t really able to defend my No 1, like earn it. So, for sure, I’m just happy that I’m here and I can compete and fight for it, but I’ve got to say my main focus is more tennis related, how I want to play, how I feel on court.”
Currently, Swiatek holds 8,433 points, trailing Sabalenka’s 11,225 points, but the gap is set to diminish as Swiatek aims for another title in Beijing, where she previously won on her debut in 2023, leading to her ascension to world No. 1 by year’s end. The anticipation builds as Swiatek, the top seed, prepares to face home favorite Yuan Yue, who recently defeated Yulia Putintseva in her opening match. As the competition heats up, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if history can repeat itself for the dynamic Polish star.
