"Definitely, we'll chase her for sure": Jabeur motivated to push Sabalenka as World Number One
WTAFriday, 15 September 2023 at 00:00
Tunisia’s tennis star Ons Jabeur believes Belarus’ Aryna
Sabalenka has all the tools to stay at the top spot in the WTA rankings for a
long time.
The 25-year-old became the top-ranked player in the women’s
single category after dethroning Poland’s Iga Swiatek who had a disappointing
US Open where she was knocked out of the tournament after suffering a defeat in
the fourth round to Latvia’s Jeļena Ostapenko with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Jabeur was quoted in a report recently where she stated that
Sabalenka had all the tools to become the world's number one and that her success
on the court will definitely motivate other players.
“With Aryna, I saw her at the US Open and said
congratulations,” she said. “I believe she really deserved to be world number
one. She has everything. Serve, big hitter, everything that she needs to be number
one. Hopefully that will motivate us. Definitely, we’ll chase her for sure.”
Sabalenka had a bit of a rollercoaster of a ride in the US
Open where even though she became the world number one but her journey did not
meet a perfect ending.
The top-ranked player suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the
final of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year to America’s young tennis
star Coco Gauff with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Despite that defeat, Sabalenka had an impressive 12 months while
playing at the highest level as it was the first time in her career that she
ended up playing in the semifinal or beyond in each of the four Grand Slams in
a year.
The Minsk-born started the year after registering her maiden
Grand Slam triumph by winning the Australian Open after beating 2022 Wimbledon champions
Elena Rybakina in the final with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4.
After that, she played in the semifinals of the French Open and
Wimbledon before ending as the runner-up at the US Open.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
- Is there no one in Pro Tennis willing to give this one some form of intervention before she crashes??
mandoist04-09-2026 - Double Standards for the male players? Gross. BTW: This "apology" reads like the one his lawyers wrote for him when he had to go to the Kangaroo Court for slapping his girlfriend around.mandoist04-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not just the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- From Day One, legalizing Sports Betting was never going to end well (for The Sport... not the thousands who lose their livelihoods and bank accounts). We're not even close to the end of the damage this is causing.mandoist03-09-2026
- In her defense... she has no "defense" and likely could not articulate it if she did.mandoist03-09-2026
- Someone is not enjoying her gradual slide down the rankings, which became noticeable last season. BTW: That reporter's on to something familiar -- the effects of Social Media Stardom on one's Second Priority (Tennis). Shades of Bouchard, Giorgi, Raducanu, etc.mandoist03-09-2026
- Sabalenka seems so unhappy. When you get angry after every mistake you make on court, you’ve got some issues sweetie! She also does seem to be “partying” a lot if you follow her social media (I don’t lolol). Very immature personality.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
- The main difference for bigger names like Alcaraz, Sinner, Zverez, etc. is that they usually make it to the later stages of tournaments while 99% of the other players win a round or two and then move on to the next tournament. The bigger names are playing more, playing longer and therefore more injury issues. The money is great but it all comes with a price!DaveyWavey03-09-2026
Loading
