Aryna Sabalenka gets honest about her friendship with 'rival' Iga Swiatek

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek dominated the 2024 season, taking home three of the four Grand Slam titles. The duo was also locked in a fierce battle for the World No. 1 ranking, ultimately secured by the former.

At the start of the new year, both women find themselves well place to repeat their success.

While Sabalenka opened her season with a title win in Brisbane, Swiatek helped Poland make a second consecutive United Cup final.

The two are still locked in a battle for the top spot, which will only intensify at the Australian Open. In that backdrop Sabalenka in a recent interview spoke about her relationship with her biggest on-court rival. The Belarusian said that a player cannot have too many friends once you reach the pinnacle of the sport. She, however, was quick to add that she and Swiatek share a cordial relationship. She joked that while all top players like to stay in their own bubble a little, they are at least able to share practice courts with each other.

“I feel like when you first start getting to that top-five level, you are always trying to stay away from everybody,” Aryna Sabalenka said via The Age.

“It’s not like I was against her, or rude to her. I think everyone just focuses on themselves. But when you get to a certain point, you can take it easier, and not become best friends, but at least we can practice together,” she added.

Sabalenka will be the top seed at this year's Australian Open, set to commence with main draw action on January 12. She has lifted the trophy at the last two editions of the tournament.

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Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek to spearhead field at 2025 Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka at the 2025 Australian Open. (Source: Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek will anchor the top and bottom halves of the 2025 Australian Open draw as the top two seeds. The duo will thus also be the favorites to contest the final.

The Belarusian, during her interview, also spoke about becoming a better player courtesy of her rivalry with Swiatek and vice-versa. She stated that they push each other to take their game to the "next level".

“It’s going to help each other, to improve each other, to push each other to the next level. It’s really cool to practice with someone you have a rivalry with,” Aryna Sabalenka said.

Sabalenka and Swiatek will face stiff resistance from the likes of last year's Australian Open finalist Zheng Qinwen, top-ranked Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, and other title hopefuls at the season's opening Slam.