"Iga Swiatek's not in a rush to get it back from Aryna Sabalenka" - Andy Roddick on Pole and Belarusian's surprise ranking shake-up

Andy Roddick assessed the rivalry between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka after the Belarusian surprisingly became the new World No. 1 ahead of the year-end WTA Finals. Last year, Sabalenka had ascended to the No. 1 spot following her run to the US Open final but failed to retain it for long.

This year, the circumstances behind the Belarusian becoming the World No. 1 again are quite different.

In the updated WTA Tour rankings on Monday, October 21, it came to light that Aryna Sabalenka had overtaken Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings. This happened despite neither of the two players participating in any event the week before. The WTA confirmed that it was a result of Swiatek and Sabalenka's ranking points being adjusted based on their respective failures to meet "certain tournament quotas".

Recently, former ATP World No. 1 and 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick spoke up about how the latest change in Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka's rankings is likely to affect their rivalry heading into the year-end WTA Finals. Roddick suggested that last year, something similar had happened.

"Props to Sabalenka. Iga actually won the No. 1 ranking from her at World Tour Finals (WTA Finals) last year. We often treat it as if Iga's been No. 1, and she has been for the large part of it, but she had to win two matches on the trot to keep the No. 1 ranking at the end of last year. It feels like we're on the same track," Roddick said during an episode of the Served With Andy Roddick podcast. (at 8:11)

The 42-year-old then lauded the rivalry between the two players before turning his attention towards Iga Swiatek's recent coaching situation. The Pole split with Tomasz Wiktorowski and has since confirmed the appointment of Wim Fissette, who has previously worked with the likes of Naomi Osaka and Zheng Qinwen.

"One of the things I do want to point out in this whole scenario with Swiatek and Sabalenka and how lucky we are to actually have the same two players fighting for the top spot again, it's a great rivalry. Both work hard. Both deservedly so and also, I'm not mad at Iga because she actually is one of the few players who talked about being a little burnt out. Obviously split with her coach, but then is still taking the time, right?" Roddick added.

The former ATP World No. 1 concluded his take on Swiatek and Sabalenka's situation by appreciating the Pole, who is taking her time to return to action. She last featured at the US Open, following which she chose to skip the Asian hardcourt swing. Roddick also praised Aryna Sabalenka, naming the Belarusian as the best player on the women's tour this year.

"I like that she's (Swiatek's) gotten to that point in her career where she's taking the long view on this. She's not in a rush to get it back. It's obviously not a priority for her. She's done it before so that helps, right? Props to Sabalenka for winning all of it and just her year in general. I think she's player of the year regardless of how the rankings shake out," Roddick concluded.

After it came to light that Sabalenka had leapfrogged Swiatek on the WTA Tour rankings, the Belarusian delivered a brief reaction to the development.

---

Aryna Sabalenka reacted to overtaking Iga Swiatek and becoming the World No. 1 for the second time in her career

Aryna Sabalenka (Source: Getty)

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on October 21, Aryna Sabalenka reflected on becoming the top-ranked women's tennis player in the world once again. The Belarusian refused to over-celebrate the achievement by taking a cautious view of it heading into the future.

"N1…. Let’s see for how long this time," Sabalenka wrote.

Last year, Sabalenka could only stay at No. 1 for eight weeks before the position went back to Swiatek. The Belarusian has been on a hot streak recently, having won the prestigious Wuhan Open earlier this month. She clinched the WTA 1000 event after a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win over home favorite Zheng Qinwen.