by Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka were the WTA’s two standout players in 2024.
The pair won three of the year’s four Grand Slams and were the top two players in the world rankings for much of the season.
They have pushed each other to improve their game all season and now the number one spot at the end of the year is on the line.
Swiatek and Sabalenka’s performances at the WTA Finals will be crucial to their conclusion to this entertaining season.
Does Andy Roddick think Iga Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka had a better 2024?
Both Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka share nine WTA Tour titles in 2024. While Swiatek won her fourth French Open title, Sabalenka successfully defended the Australian Open title and also secured the US Open crown.
The pair have played three times in 2024, with Swiatek winning the clay court duels and Sabalenka winning the hard court duel.
Tennis fans have enjoyed comparing Swiatek and Sabalenka’s progress in 2024, and Andy Roddick used his Served podcast to name who he thought had a better season.
“Props to Sabalenka. “Iga actually took the No. 1 ranking from her at the World Tour Finals (WTA Finals) last year,” the American said.
“We often treat it as if Iga was No. 1, and she was most of the time, but she had to win two games in a row at the end of last year to maintain the No. 1 ranking. It feels like we’re on the same path.
“I like that she’s at a point in her career where she’s taking a long-term view. She is in no hurry to get it back. It’s obviously not a priority for them.
“She’s done it before, so that helps, right? Kudos to Sabalenka for winning everything and just her year in general. I think she’s the player of the year no matter what the rankings are.”
How did Aryna Sabalenka take the number one spot in the world rankings from Iga Swiatek?
In October, Sabalenka regained the number one position in the world rankings after 11 months before the summit of the WTA Tour.
After winning the Cincinnati Open in August, she moved closer to the top spot and defeated Swiatek en route to the title. Sabalenka backed up that win by dropping just one set en route to her first win at the US Open.
Swiatek hasn’t played since her last eight appearances in New York, and in that time Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals of the China Open.
While she gained ranking points, Swiatek lost points after failing to defend her title in the Chinese capital, and Sabalenka gained even more after winning her third Wuhan Open title.
Sabalenka now has a slim 41-point lead over Swiatek at the top of the WTA rankings, and the WTA Finals in November will be do-or-die.
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