Aryna Sabalenka warns Iga Swiatek she feels 'ready' to replace her at No. 1

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Aryna Sabalenka says she feels ready to overtake Iga Swiatek at the world No 1 spot. For 25-year-old Sabalenka, there are several ways how she can replace Swiatek at the top spot this fortnight. If Swiatek fails to reach the French Open quarterfinal, Sabalenka is guaranteed to replace the Pole at the world No 1 spot.

If Sabalenka makes the semifinal, Swiatek would need to reach the final in order to have a chance at keeping her top spot. If Sabalenka and Swiatek meet in the French Open final, the Belarusian can secure the top spot by beating the Pole in the final.

“I think yes. I think I improved a lot, and I have everything to be No 1," Sabalenka said when asked if she felt ready to be No 1, per rolandgarros.com.

Sabalenka sets eyes on overtaking Swiatek

Sabalenka has been narrowing the gap with Swiatek since the start of the 2023 season.

Now, Sabalenka has come close enough to be in a position to really be threatening Swiatek to overtake her at the spot. In Rome, Sabalenka acknowledged reaching the world No 1 is a big goal of hers but noted there are things she needs to focus on.

“I’m doing everything I can to get closer not like to her but to my dream. I’m working really hard. I’m trying to stay focused on every match, every tournament. That’s what I really want to do. When you have a target, if you have really big motivation, it’s not like easier, but you have a goal behind all those tough practices.

It’s easier to keep going. When it’s tough, you remind yourself why you’re doing it. It’s not like easy, but it’s really helping to stay strong and keep pushing yourself to the limits and keep improving yourself," Sabalenka said in Rome. It remains to be seen if Sabalenka will secure the top spot at the French Open.