Shocking News: Iga Swiatek to Relinquish World No. 1 Ranking to Aryna Sabalenka After US Open Upset

In a stunning turn of events at the 2023 US Open, Iga Swiatek’s reign as the highest-ranked player on the WTA Tour is set to come to an end, as she succumbed to a surprising defeat, paving the way for Aryna Sabalenka to ascend to the top spot.

For well over a year, Swiatek appeared unassailable in her perch atop the WTA Rankings. However, the winds of change began to blow, and Aryna Sabalenka seized opportunities to challenge Swiatek’s supremacy at every recent event they participated in. Iga Swiatek says the #1 ranking meant a lot to her

“I don’t know why I played that bad,” Swiatek said. “I’m not happy with my performances on hard courts this year. But overall, I did a pretty good job at maintaining my level. I’m happy I’m going to have time to practice because I miss that.

“I feel like I’m progressing as a player, but I have more skills. This season was tough and intense.”

Iga Swiatek says the #1 ranking meant a lot to her pic.twitter.com/dqCt2z5Pba

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 15, 2023

The defending champion and reigning world No. 1, Swiatek, suffered a shocking setback in the Round of 16 on Sunday, falling to the unstoppable Jelena Ostapenko in a hard-fought three-set match. This loss signifies the imminent end of Swiatek’s reign as the world No. 1, with current No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka poised to take over the coveted position for the very first time.

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Swiatek’s remarkable 75-week tenure as the World No. 1 will conclude following her exit from the US Open. The 22-year-old Polish sensation admitted that the burden of maintaining her No. 1 ranking had been a significant challenge. On the day after the tournament, Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, will officially assume her role as the new World No. 1.

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Swiatek’s fall from the top spot had been foreshadowed by her trailing Sabalenka by 245 points on the Race to the WTA Finals Leaderboard, which exclusively tallies points accumulated in the ongoing season.

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The tennis world is abuzz with this unexpected turn of events, as Aryna Sabalenka prepares to ascend to the summit of women’s tennis, ending Swiatek’s remarkable reign as World No. 1.