Aryna Sabalenka has spoken about how she will not let becoming World No. 1 in the WTA Ranking affect her mindset, saying it is 'not a big change.'

Second seed Sabalenka has been chasing Iga Swiatek for the top spot in the rankings for a while now. She has faced disappointment in the past after coming agonizingly close to the position just to end up missing out.

The biggest opportunity Sabalenka had prior to now was at Wimbledon in July, where Swiatek was defeated in the quarter-finals by Elina Svitolina. This meant that if Sabalenka made the finals of the grasscourt major, she would usurp the Polish player. Unfortunately for her though, she fell at the final hurdle, losing to Ons Jabeur in the semi-finals.

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Sabalenka motivated, but not distracted, by top spot

Nevertheless, Sabalenka achieved the incredible feat of becoming No. 1 in the world after Swiatek crashed out of the US Open in the Round of 16. The Belarusian had to at least equal Swiatek's result in the tournament. Therefore, by reaching the fourth round, Sabalenka secured herself the top spot for the first time in her career.

However, Sabalenka stressed that she wasn't taking this achievement as an excuse to relax, as she still needed to focus on her tennis just the same as before.

"I'm super happy with this achievement in my career, but, I mean, it's not a big change. You know, I mean, I have been No. 2. Now I'm No. 1. It's just a difference of position in the draw. I still have to bring my best tennis. I still have to play my best. People will try to, yeah, just try to chase me and get me," she said.

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She continued by saying that the status of World No. 1 provided her with extra motivation.

"But it just an extra motivation for me. You know, seeing them, like, really trying their best to beat me, it's, like, an extra power and energy for me to keep playing, keep pushing, keep getting better," she explained.

Swiatek spent 75 weeks at the top of the WTA Ranking, the tenth longest in history. Sabalenka will likely be hoping for a similar, if not longer, run as No. 1. She is currently preparing to face Madison Keys for a place in the final of the US Open.

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🆕👑 Aryna Sabalenka will rise to world No.1 for the first time in her career after the #USOpen

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