The Big Absentee – Iga Świątek. The Rivals Take Their Chance
Since the beginning of 2023, Iga Świątek has defended her position as the WTA leader with a large point advantage, earned thanks to her successes at the world’s biggest tournaments. However, recent months have brought changes in the Polish player’s form, and her absence from tournaments such as those in Seoul, Tokyo or Beijing not only arouses concern among fans, but also gives her rivals a chance to make up for lost points. The decision to take a break is private, as Świątek herself admitted in interviews. There has been speculation in the media for a long time about the Polish player’s mental pressure and mental fatigue.
During Iga Świątek’s absence, her rivals gained a chance to reduce the gap in points in the ranking. The most serious candidate to take the lead is Aryna Sabalenka, who has been in great shape since the beginning of the season, but she is not the only one who counts in this fight. New talents and players returning from injuries are increasingly making their presence felt at the biggest tennis events.
Karolina Muchova – Return from injury and record-breaking season
One of the key players who is starting to stir things up at the top is Karolina Muchova. Despite having her 2023 season interrupted by a wrist injury, the Czech returned to the court in great style. Muchova has already shown that she is capable of competing with the best, as she proved at Roland Garros, when she eliminated Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals and fought a fierce, three-set battle with Iga Świątek in the final.
The Czech’s triumphant return to the court began after the Olympic Games, when she began to regularly reach advanced stages of tournaments, such as the final in Palermo and the semi-finals of the US Open. What particularly catches the attention of fans is Muchová’s incredible dominance in recent weeks. The tennis player set a new season record, winning at least one set in six consecutive matches with a score of 6:0 or 6:1. This record, previously the “specialty” of Iga Świątek, was broken by Muchová at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
The Czech’s series began in the quarterfinals of the US Open, and the next record results were matches with Anna Blinkova, Yue Yuan and Jacqueline Cristian, as well as with Cristina Bucsa in the 1/8 finals in Beijing. This feat puts Ewa Muchova in the top of the tennis players who can seriously threaten Świątek and Sabalenka in the future in the fight for the top places in the ranking.
Aryna Sabalenka – Świątek’s most dangerous rival
Aryna Sabalenka, currently the runner-up in the WTA rankings, has been steadily improving her skills for several seasons, but 2024 may be a breakthrough for her. Sabalenka, physically strong, dynamic and aggressive on the court, is considered the Pole’s most serious rival in the fight for the position of the leader of the WTA rankings. Her offensive style of play brings successes, but it can also be her Achilles heel in clashes with players who play more versatile, such asKarolina Muchova, who eliminated Sabalenka at the most important tournaments, including the recent Roland Garros.
The WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing has become another place where Sabalenka is trying to close the gap on Świątek. Her quarterfinal clash with Muchova promises to be incredibly exciting – the Czech, who is in excellent form, is one of those players who the Belarusian definitely does not like. Although Aryna Sabalenka has a chance to advance, Muchova’s experience in high-stakes matches may be crucial in this duel.
In addition to Świątek, Sabalenka and Muchova, new names are appearing on the tennis courts more and more often, who can shake up the world’s top women’s tennis players . Jasmine Paolini, who stormed into the TOP 10 in the middle of the season, and Paula Badosa, who is returning from injury, are just some of the players who could pose a real threat to the current leaders of the ranking in the future. In the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, we can also see the excellent form of Mirra Andreeva and Qinwen Zheng, who are entering an increasingly higher level in world tennis.
Karolina Muchova – Return from injury and record-breaking season
One of the key players who is starting to stir things up at the top is Karolina Muchova. Despite having her 2023 season interrupted by a wrist injury, the Czech returned to the court in great style. Muchova has already shown that she is capable of competing with the best, as she proved at Roland Garros, when she eliminated Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals and fought a fierce, three-set battle with Iga Świątek in the final.
The Czech’s triumphant return to the court began after the Olympic Games, when she began to regularly reach advanced stages of tournaments, such as the final in Palermo and the semi-finals of the US Open. What particularly catches the attention of fans is Muchová’s incredible dominance in recent weeks. The tennis player set a new season record, winning at least one set in six consecutive matches with a score of 6:0 or 6:1. This record, previously the “specialty” of Iga Świątek, was broken by Muchová at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
The Czech’s series began in the quarterfinals of the US Open, and the next record results were matches with Anna Blinkova, Yue Yuan and Jacqueline Cristian, as well as with Cristina Bucsa in the 1/8 finals in Beijing. This feat puts Ewa Muchova in the top of the tennis players who can seriously threaten Świątek and Sabalenka in the future in the fight for the top places in the ranking.
Aryna Sabalenka – Świątek’s most dangerous rival
Aryna Sabalenka, currently the runner-up in the WTA rankings, has been steadily improving her skills for several seasons, but 2024 may be a breakthrough for her. Sabalenka, physically strong, dynamic and aggressive on the court, is considered the Pole’s most serious rival in the fight for the position of the leader of the WTA rankings. Her offensive style of play brings successes, but it can also be her Achilles heel in clashes with players who play more versatile, such asKarolina Muchova, who eliminated Sabalenka at the most important tournaments, including the recent Roland Garros.
The WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing has become another place where Sabalenka is trying to close the gap on Świątek. Her quarterfinal clash with Muchova promises to be incredibly exciting – the Czech, who is in excellent form, is one of those players who the Belarusian definitely does not like. Although Aryna Sabalenka has a chance to advance, Muchova’s experience in high-stakes matches may be crucial in this duel.
In addition to Świątek, Sabalenka and Muchova, new names are appearing on the tennis courts more and more often, who can shake up the world’s top women’s tennis players . Jasmine Paolini, who stormed into the TOP 10 in the middle of the season, and Paula Badosa, who is returning from injury, are just some of the players who could pose a real threat to the current leaders of the ranking in the future. In the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, we can also see the excellent form of Mirra Andreeva and Qinwen Zheng, who are entering an increasingly higher level in world tennis.
What will the coming weeks bring for Iga Świątek?
Despite her absence from recent tournaments, Iga Świątek remains one of the biggest favourites to end the season in the number one position. Her dominance in the Grand Slam tournaments and prestigious competitions gives her a solid foundation to maintain her position as the leader. Unfortunately, the lack of regular performances at the end of the season, especially in WTA 1000 tournaments, may open the door for other players, especially Sabalenka, who has a chance to win valuable points in Beijing and get dangerously close to the Polish player’s position.
