Aryna Sabalenka, 25, admits she wants both the Wimbledon title and the world No 1 ranking but noted it will probably end badly for her if she starts thinking too much about those two things and not the match against Ons Jabeur itself. After world No 1 Iga Swiatek suffered a Wimbledon quarterfinal loss, the doors opened for Sabalenka to replace the Pole at the world No 1 spot. On Wednesday, Sabalenka defeated Madison Keys 6-2 6-4 to set up a Wimbledon semifinal against Jabeur. If Sabalenka reaches the Wimbledon final, she will replace Swiatek at the world No 1 spot on Monday.
Sabalenka on if he wants more to be No 1 or a Wimbledon champion
“To be honest, I want both (smiling). But I’m trying to focus on myself because I know if I’ll start thinking about all this stuff, I’m going to lose my focus on court, my game. So I’m trying to focus on myself right now and make sure that every time I’m on the court I bring my best tennis. Then later on we’ll see if I’m ready to become world No 1 or if I’m ready to play another final,” Sabalenka said.
Earlier this year, Sabalenka became a Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open. Now, she is close to achieving another two major goals.
“I remember myself, I don’t know, 14 or 15 years old going on my practice with the headphones listening to music and, like, dreaming becoming one of the best players in the world, dreaming about lifting this beautiful trophies. I mean, that’s something unbelievable. That’s something what really motivates me a lot, that I was able to become one of the best. I’m competing on the high level. So that’s something big for me. I mean, I’m going to do everything I can to lift this beautiful trophy,” Sabalenka said.
It remains to be seen if Sabalenka can beat Jabeur and secure the world No 1 ranking.