How Sabalenka could take unthinkable World No.1 spot off Swiatek

Iga Swiatek has been so dominant in the past year that it seemed impossible for anyone to replace her as the World No. 1 and yet it might happen thanks to the dramatic rise of Aryna Sabalenka.

The emergence of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina has become a real threat to the Pole's top position in the rankings. Swiatek has been number for over a year now having taken over the number one spot last year after Ashleigh Barty retired though she earned it with her play on the courts.

She won two Grand Slams, four WTA 1000s, and accumulated 11,085 year-end ranking points, which gave her a lead of over 6,000 points over the then World No. 2 Ons Jabeur. But 2023 has been a different story for Swiatek. She has looked beatable against top players with Sabalenka, Rybakina, Pegula and Krejcikova all beating her this year. Sabalenka has been the most consistent and she's the closest to replacing her as the top player in the rankings.

Swiatek must defend 3,000 points as the winner of the Italian Open and the Parisian Grand Slam in the coming weeks. Sabalenka has much fewer points to defend and given her recent form, she is expected to make it far in these tournaments. If she outplays Swiatek at those two events, there is a very good chance that she might dethrone her.

Roland Garros will be crucial but it could happen and that's extraordinary when you consider that nobody predicted Swiatek to lose the ranking in 2023.