"It's been getting chilled between us”: Aryna Sabalenka talks relaxed rivalry with Iga Swiatek

Aryna Sabalenka addressed her 'relaxed' relationship with 5-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek off the court. The world No. 1 and No. 2 were together a few days ago in Abu Dhabi for the World Tennis League, where they were even seen training together and having fun.

Since Ashleigh Barty’s retirement in April 2022, Iga Swiatek has held the top ranking for 75 weeks, until Aryna Sabalenka managed to take it from her for 8 weeks in September 2023. The Polish player regained the top spot for another 50 weeks, but just before the end of 2024, the Belarusian claimed the No. 1 ranking and has held it since.

"She's a really nice person"

Swiatek has accumulated 125 weeks as No. 1 and 5 Grand Slam titles, while Sabalenka has reached 18 weeks and 3 Grand Slam titles, two of them from the last two editions of the Australian Open, the first big challenge of the year for both. After the World Tennis League, Swiatek decided to attend the United Cup with Poland, while Sabalenka headed to Brisbane for the first WTA 500 event of the season.

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"I thought we have to stay together and have fun and just enjoy our rivalry, not be too tough on each other," Sabalenka said in a press conference upon her arrival at the Brisbane International. "So I asked [her to train with me] and we did it. Then I was doing fitness after our hit. She was like, I can join you guys. We filmed it and posted it."

"It's been becoming more chilled between us, too. I have to say she's a really nice person. It was fun to get to know each other."

Sabalenka is the big favourite in Melbourne, with a 14-match winning streak there. She aims to become the first woman to win three consecutive titles since Martina Hingis (1997-1999). "Honestly, I didn't know about that till probably a few days ago when I saw it on [social media]."

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"I mean, it's a little bit cool to achieve such an incredible goal, a dream of so many young players," the 3-time Grand Slam champion added. "But once again, I think I better focus on myself. If I'm able to bring my best tennis, I know that I'm able to do that."

Sabalenka is not overconfident about being the top seed and defending champion, and she downplays the importance of being ranked No. 1. "It doesn't matter what your ranking [is]," she said. "You have to go there, compete, fight, do your best. It doesn't matter whether you're one, two, three or 100."

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