A year ago in Cancun, Iga Swiatek was the player to beat despite Sabalenka’s No. 1 ranking. She duly destroyed the field, thrashing Sabalenka in the semifinals en route to winning the title undefeated and reclaiming the top spot. Sabalenka had been there eight weeks — even less in her memory. “It was like what, one week? Two?” she said.

Aryna Sabalenka prefers her US Open win from September 2024 over either of the two title runs at the Australian Open.

From start to finish, Aryna Sabalenka was the best tennis player this year. Sabalenka's dominant season was bookmarked with Australian Open and US Open titles, with plenty of winning in between. While she is still competing in the WTA Finals in Riyadh,