US Open champion Sabalenka chasing year-end number one ranking

Aryna Sabalenka, aged 26, expressed on Tuesday her aspiration to conclude an exceptional year by reclaiming the top position in the world rankings.

Currently ranked second, she is the top seed at this week's China Open, following the withdrawal of the reigning champion, Iga Swiatek, who is ranked first, due to unspecified "personal matters."

Having recently triumphed at the US Open, Sabalenka has the opportunity to significantly advance her position in the rankings with a victory in Beijing.

"Certainly, one of my objectives is to end the season as the world number one," stated the Belarusian, who secured her second Australian Open title earlier this year.

She further remarked, "I am not concentrating solely on that; my focus is on my performance. There are only three tournaments remaining."

"I aim to showcase my best tennis on the court. After the season concludes, I will assess whether my efforts were sufficient to achieve the number one ranking or if further improvement is necessary."

The three-time major champion first attained the world number one ranking a year ago, only to be overtaken by Swiatek.

"Being recognized as the best player in the world is immensely significant. It affirms that all the hours of training and effort were worthwhile," she commented.

Sabalenka will compete for the first time since her victory over Jessica Pegula in the final in New York earlier this month, having received a bye in the opening round.

Pegula is also participating in the prestigious WTA 1000 hardcourt event in the Chinese capital, alongside fellow American Coco Gauff, four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, and China's Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.

The tournament is set to commence on Wednesday, with a men's ATP 500 event taking place concurrently.

SportsLigue