"I have everything to be No. 1": Sabalenka ready to conclude 'impossible' charge to World No.1 spot at Roland Garros

This year's Roland Garros could see a change of guard at the top of the WTA Rankings with Aryna Sabalenka in striking distance of Iga Swiatek following a string of good results.

Aryna Sabalenka has quite possibly been the best player this year as she won the only grand slam that was played this year. She also played in two big finals in Indian Wells and Stuttgart with a trophy in Madrid. That trophy in Madrid came after she beat Iga Swiatek in the final showing everyone that the Polish player can be beaten on clay.

Being a grand slam champion has always been a dream for Sabalenka. She achieved it earlier this year and now the dream shifted to becoming world number one. A few months ago she admitted that although there was doubt about the feasibility of it:

“It’s going to be really tough and that’s why I really want to achieve it (No.1 ranking), because it seems like it’s impossible but I want to make it possible."

Now she's ready for it:

“I think yes. I think I improved a lot, and I have everything to be No. 1.”

A hard worker by nature, Sabalenka knows what it takes to be number one because she's seen Swiatek do it. Earlier this year she talked about the admiration she has for the Polish player and the amount of work she puts in. It's something she emulates while trying to stay motivated. Having a clear goal doesn't make it easier but it helps:

“When you have a target, if you have really big motivation, it's not easier, but you have a goal behind all those tough practices. It's easier to keep going. When it's tough, you remind yourself why you're doing it."