Victoria Azarenka backs Aryna Sabalenka as ‘best player in the world’ – Swiatek fans disagree
WTAMonday, 09 September 2024 at 02:00
Victoria Azarenka's congratulations to Aryna
Sabalenka sparked controversy following her US Open title. The world No. 20 was
emphatic on social media, calling her compatriot "the best player in the
world this season," seemingly downplaying world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Despite winning her second Grand Slam title of
the year, Sabalenka remains ranked world No. 2 with 8,716 points, compared to
Swiatek’s 10,885, a difference of more than 2,000 points. Regarding the WTA
Race, which exclusively tracks points earned in 2024, Sabalenka has closed the
gap, reaching 7,876 points, though still trailing Swiatek’s 8,285 by over 400
points.
Azarenka hails Sabalenka as 'best player of 2024'
With no more Grand Slam tournaments remaining
and only two WTA 1000 events left, Sabalenka is directly in contention to
finish the year as world No. 1. In particular, the WTA Finals will be her big
chance, as Swiatek will have to defend 1,500 points there to secure her top
spot.
After her Flushing Meadows title, several
players congratulated Sabalenka, including Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Paula
Badosa, among others. However, the comment that caught the most attention on X
was from Vika Azarenka, who declared her compatriot the best player of the
season: “Amazing win for @SabalenkaA. Congratulations. Best player in the world
this season!”
The post from the former world No. 1 drew
numerous comments from fans, who criticized it for supposedly disrespecting
Swiatek, who won the French Open this year and 4 of the 8 WTA 1000 tournaments
played, while Sabalenka stands out with one WTA 1000 and two Grand Slam titles.
“If only there was I don’t know, some sort of
points system to determine that. Wonder if she’d be top of it," commented an user on X.
"In terms of Slams – Aryna is the best.
But when you look at the whole season, the most consistent player is Iga. Just
worth putting things into perspective," commented another user.
Another user replied with a photo of the live
WTA Race standings, showing that Swiatek has earned more points than Sabalenka
this season: "Well," they posted with the picture.
“I don't think it's the case at the moment, but
the season isn't over yet, so maybe? It's hard to say, because this year there
were Olympics, where A. Sabalenka didn't play.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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