WTA Player of the Week #1: Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka has been the player to beat at the end of the previous and beginning of the new WTA season, winning the last 15 matches and earning a career-high ranking position.

The Belarusian will become world no. 7 on Monday following the WTA 500 title in Abu Dhabi, strongly opening the season and earning our WTA Player of the Week title. Aryna suffered the third-round Roland Garros loss last October and has won every match since, conquering indoor hard titles in Ostrava (over Victoria Azarenka) and Linz (over Elise Mertens) to earn 750 points and wrap up the season inside the top-10.

Hungry for more at the beginning of 2021, Aryna took down Polona Hercog in the opening round following a slow start and ousted Ajla Tomljanovic in two tight sets to enter the last 16. The Belarusian avenged that Roland Garros defeat against Ons Jabeur, beating the Tunisian in straight sets to enter the quarters and set eyes on the title.

Aryna had to work hard against the 6th seed Elena Rybakina, overpowering the Kazakh in three sets and never looking back. Maria Sakkari and Veronika Kudermetova were no match for an in-form Belarusian in the semis and final. Sabalenka won the third straight title and earned momentum ahead of the Australian Open.

Sabalenka is yet to make a name for herself in Melbourne, and this should be a perfect opportunity for her to show her best tennis and maybe chase a Major glory.