Aryna Sabalenka on 'tough' task of ousting Iga Swiatek as World No. 1 - 'She isn't feeling pressure'
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Updated 26/04/2023 at 17:59 GMT
Aryna Sabalenka says she's trying to focus on her own game as much as possible to achieve the daunting task of ousting Iga Swiatek as world No. 1. Sabalenka fell to defeat against the Pole in the Stuttgart Open final on Sunday and believes that Swiatek "isn't feeling super pressure" to live up to the sky-high standards she set last season. The pair are the top two seeds at this week's Madrid Open.
Aryna Sabalenka jest wiceliderką światowego rankingu
Image credit: Getty Images
Iga Swiatek is not feeling pressure at living up to a superb 2022 season, says Aryna Sabalenka, as the Belarusian tries to plot a route to ousting her rival as world No. 1.
Swiatek won eight singles titles last year, including Grand Slams at Roland Garros and the US Open.
She has started the 2023 season strongly too and picked up her second trophy of the season by beating world No. 2 Sabalenka in the Stuttgart final on Sunday.
The Belarusian is hoping to bounce back at the Madrid Open this week, an event where she has had historic success and Swiatek has not.
“Iga is doing well and I think she is not feeling super pressure of defending so many titles,” Sabalenka said.
“It’s going to be really tough for me. I have to be really focused and I have to get to the last stages of the tournament(s) to become number one.
“I’m trying to not focus on that. I am trying to focus on my game because I know that, if I am going to bring my game and if I am going to play my best, I will get there. So I am trying to focus on myself."
Sabalenka claimed the Madrid title in 2021 and has enjoyed an even more impressive start to the 2023 season than Swiatek, claiming her first major title at the Australian Open in January.
She now sits directly behind Swiatek in the world rankings and her bid for Madrid glory will begin against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the second round.
"I am super happy to be back here (in Madrid). It’s just amazing to be here, especially when you’ve won this tournament once. You feel at home and super comfortable being here."
She added: "I had a really good couple of weeks' preparation after Miami and a good result at Stuttgart, (which) gives me a lot of belief that I can do well on this surface. I feel really good on clay right now."
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