"We are lucky to have them fighting for the top spot again": Andy Roddick applauds Sabalenka-Swiatek rivalry

Andy Roddick believes that Iga Swiatek does not prioritize reclaiming the world No. 1 spot from Aryna Sabalenka. According to the 2003 US Open champion, the Polish player is not focused on returning to the top of the ranking as quickly as possible, but rather on improving as a player in the long term.

At just 23 years old, the Polish player has already won 22 titles, 5 Grand Slams, and is the 7th player with the most weeks as No. 1, with a total of 125, surpassing players like Ashleigh Barty, Justine Henin, and Lindsay Davenport. Despite her great success at a young age, Swiatek maintains her desire to continue improving in the coming seasons.

It seemed unlikely a few months ago that Aryna Sabalenka would take the world No. 1 spot from Swiatek. Swiatek had won four of the first 6 WTA 1000 tournaments (including two victories in finals against Sabalenka), as well as Roland Garros, and had accumulated a 4,000-point lead over the Belarusian.

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Sabalenka managed to close the gap in the latter part of the year; her titles at the US Open, Cincinnati, and Wuhan allowed her to narrow the gap with the Polish player. Although she had good chances of surpassing her at the WTA Finals, it was a surprise when she was announced as No. 1 two weeks ago, as Swiatek received a penalty for not participating in enough mandatory tournaments.

“Props to Sabalenka. Iga actually won the No. 1 ranking from her at World Tour Finals (WTA Finals) last year,” Andy Roddick commented. “We often treat it as if Iga’s been No. 1, and she has been for the large part of it, but she had to win two matches on the trot to keep the No. 1 ranking at the end of last year. It feels like we’re on the same track.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at 2023 WTA Finals.

“I like that she’s gotten to that point in her career where she’s taking the long view on this. She’s not in a rush to get it back. It’s obviously not a priority for her,” the former world No. 1 added. “She’s done it before so that helps, right? Props to Sabalenka for winning all of it and just her year in general. I think she’s player of the year regardless of how the rankings shake out.”

In the head-to-head, Swiatek leads 8-4, although Sabalenka won their last match at the Cincinnati Open. “One of the things I do want to point out in this whole scenario with Swiatek and Sabalenka and how lucky we are to actually have the same two players fighting for the top spot again, it’s a great rivalry,” Andy Roddick added. “Both work hard. Both deservedly so and also, I’m not mad at Iga because she actually is one of the few players who talked about being a little burnt out.”

He then mentioned regarding Swiatek that he hopes she has some time to improve after making changes to her team a few weeks ago. “Obviously [she] split with her coach, but then is still taking the time, right?”

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