Aryna Sabalenka, the current world number two, is aiming to reclaim the top spot in the world rankings by the end of the year. After winning the US Open, the Belarusian tennis star is competing as the top seed at the China Open, following Iga Swiatek’s withdrawal due to personal reasons.
Sabalenka, who also won the Australian Open earlier this year, expressed her desire to finish the season as world number one but emphasized her focus on playing her best tennis in the remaining three tournaments of the season.
“Being called the best player in the world means everything,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on the possibility of reclaiming the title from Swiatek, who overtook her a year ago.
The prestigious WTA 1000 event in Beijing will see Sabalenka and other top players like Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in action. The tournament kicks off on Wednesday, running alongside a men’s ATP 500 event.
