"I always wanted to dominate like Serena Williams did, like Iga Swiatek" - Aryna Sabalenka sets lofty goals with first year-end World No. 1 wrapped up

Aryna Sabalenka has expressed the desire to replicate Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek's level of domination on the ATP Tour. The three-time Grand Slam champion is currently ranked World No.1 and recently sealed her first year-end top spot.

Sabalenka has been in the best form of her life in recent times, having won two of her three Grand Slam titles in 2024 alone. She defended her Australian Open title earlier in the season before defeating home-favorite Jessica Pegula to win her maiden US Open title.

The 26-year-old also secured two WTA 1000 titles at the Cincinnati Open and the Wuhan Open. Although she missed the Wimbledon and the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a shoulder injury, the Belarusian is confirmed to end the year as World No.1 after Iga Swiatek's loss to Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals.

Sabalenka, who's also competing at the WTA Finals, is 2-0 up in the group stage and hopes to replicate Swiatek and Serena Williams' domination on the ATP Tour. Speaking in an interview with Arab News, the 26-year-old said:

“I always wanted to dominate the tour like Serena (Williams) did, like Iga was able to do for so long. And she’s still close, it’s all going to be decided after this tournament, so who knows?."

The Belarusian added that, along with setting ambitious goals, she was also focused on improving her game.

“But it’s really inspiring and of course I want to dominate the tour like they did. But I’m trying to focus on myself, on improving myself, to make sure that I have all of the tools to dominate the tour as they did,” Aryna Sabalenka added

Swiatek had spent an impressive 125 weeks on the top of WTA Rankings while Williams holds the record for the third longest tenure, 319 weeks. The Belarusian enjoyed the top spot for eight weeks in 2023 and after regaining it last month at the Wuhan Open, she will look to hold onto the ranking through the 2025 season.

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Aryna Sabalenka matches Serena Williams' unique feat at the WTA Finals

WTA Finals 2024 - Aryna Sabalenka speaking during a press conference (Image via Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka entered the 2023 WTA Finals as the World No.1 but lost the ranking to Iga Swiatek at the end of the tournament.

After reclaiming the ranking in October 2024, the 26-year-old qualified for the WTA Finals as the World No.1 for a second consecutive year, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams in 2013-14.

Sabalenka faced Qinwen Zheng in her opening match in Riyadh, storming to an impressive 6-3, 6-4 victory. She took on Jasmine Paolini in her second match, winning 6-3, 7-5 to book a spot in the semifinals.